Hospital welcomes the return of visitors
HALTON Hospital has reintroduced visiting across its premises in line with the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions.
A spokeswoman for Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WHH) said the change means patients can be accompanied by someone “important” when attending outpatient appointments or Warrington Hospital’s emergency department.
It also covers the Runcorn Urgent Treatment Centre.
For inpatient wards, visiting hours have been extended to 1-4.30pm and 6-8pm, and visitors no longer need to book in advance, with a limit of two visitors per patient at any time.
Patients attending the emergency department or an outpatients appointment can be accompanied by one close support.
The WHH spokeswoman said visitors may be asked to leave for a short period to avoid overcrowding at times.
Both inpatient visitors and people accompanying patients for outpatients appointments or attending the emergency department will be required to wear a face covering in all areas of WHH at all times unless medically exempt.
Visitors are also required to ensure good hand hygiene including regular handwashing or sanitising at all times and are asked not to attend the hospital if they are feeling unwell or experiencing Covid-19 symptoms.
Kimberley Salmon-Jamieson, WHH chief nurse and deputy chief executive, said the new visiting guidance will provide benefits to both patients and their loved ones.
“We know the enormous contribution visiting makes to the well-being and care of patients, and the distress lack of access to friends and family causes to both patients and loved ones.
“Restricting visitors to patients as per the national policy request, and not allowing friends or family members to accompany patients to the emergency department or outpatients appointments was not a decision taken lightly, but during the height of the Covid pandemic the safety of our patients, staff and visitors was and continue to remain our priority at all times.
“We have been working extremely hard to reinstate our previous ‘open visitor policy’ at the earliest opportunity as we know how vital companionship is for our inpatients and outpatients.
“We are delighted to welcome more visitors across our hospital sites – be safe and be with your loved ones.”