Visiting restrictions return
HOSPITAL visits from relatives or friends of inpatients at Leicestershire’s NHS hospitals have been limited in light of the high rate of coronavirus cases.
Health bosses at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, which operates the county’s community hospitals as well as a number of specialist units, have brought in the measures at its sites in a bid to reduce the spread of Covid-19 among vulnerable people.
Only some visits will be allowed, in exceptional circumstances.
Loved ones will still be able to pay a visit in cases when a patient is receiving end-of-life care or when the visit of a close family member or carer/friend would alleviate significant mental or physical distress to the patient.
Visitors are also allowed if the patient is a child being visited by a parent or an appropriate adult.
In those circumstances, people will still need to book a visiting slot with the ward and answer a series of screening questions, as well as taking a lateral flow test on the day of the visit.
Visitors will be required to wear a surgical facemask and must not visit if they test positive for Covid-19 or have symptoms in the 48 hours prior to visiting.
These include:
A new, continuous cough;
A high temperature;
A change in normal sense of smell or taste;
Any respiratory symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose or sore throat;
Sickness and/or diarrhoea.
Dr Anne Scott, executive director of nursing, said: “We apologise for the distress and inconvenience this will cause. However, this is a vital infection prevention and control measure to limit the further spread of Covid-19 among vulnerable groups of hospital inpatients.
“We recognise the importance of connecting patients with their families, friends and carers and therefore strongly recommend virtual visits where possible.”
The trust has set up a Message to a Loved One service, to help inpatients keep in touch with their nearest and dearest while they are in hospital. All wards have also been equipped with dedicated tablet computers to allow family members to virtually visit patients.
This visitor guidance will be reviewed regularly, with the next taking place tomorrow.
Leicester Hospitals NHS Trust sites, which include Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester General and Glenfield, has also brought in restricted visiting “to keep our patients and colleagues safe”.
COMMUNITY HOSPITALS IN BID TO KEEP VULNERABLE PATIENTS SAFE