Essential visiting only in Lanarkshire hospitals
NHS Lanarkshire have announced they are to suspend all but essential visiting at hospitals across the area.
That comes as case numbers of the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, continue to rise across the country.
The rise in numbers has resulted in continued pressure on hospitals, with the health board taking the decision to introduce‘essential visiting only’across all hospitals.
They say their priority has to be keeping patients and staff as safe as possible by limiting the number of people attending hospitals and therefore reducing the risk of spreading the virus.
NHS Lanarkshire nurse director Susan Friel said:“We understand patients in hospital are having a challenging time and want to have their family and friends around them for support.
“It is our priority to protect our patients and staff as much as is possible and this is why we have made the difficult decision to reintroduce essential visiting at this time.
“However, we will be reviewing this very regularly and as soon as it is safe to do so, we will be expanding visiting by prioritising access for those closest to the patient.
“We recognise that essential visits, which only permit visits to patients where not seeing a family member would cause particular distress or suffering, is not ideal but necessary for the time being.
“Anyone with questions about visiting arrangements should speak to the nurse in charge of the ward.
“We would also strongly encourage all essential visitors to carry out a lateral flow test prior to visiting their loved one. Information on how to obtain a test and how to take it, is available by visiting NHS Inform.
“We hope everyone will understand that this decision has been made in the best interests of patients, other visitors and our staff.”
Given the number of Covid-19 outbreaks, particularly those caused by Omicron, that are being linked to Christmas parties, Public Health Scotland is urging people to defer such parties at this time.
It comes after outbreaks of the new variant have been linked to festive parties.
Dr Nick Phin, director of Public Health Science and Medical Director at PHS, said:“There is much that we still need to learn about Omicron, but early evidence suggests that this new Covid variant is much more transmissible.
“The impact of this transmissibility has been seen in recent weeks, with a number of Omicron outbreaks linked to parties.
“We still need to learn more about the severity of disease caused by Omicron and the effectiveness of vaccines, but there are important things that we can do to help protect ourselves and our families now.
“To help minimise the further spread of Covid-19, and Omicron in particular, I would strongly urge people to defer their Christmas parties to another time.
“I appreciate that everyone is keen to celebrate this festive season, particularly after the pressures of the last 20 months, but by postponing some plans we can all do our bit to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”
Public Health Scotland has also issued a reminder of the other measures we can all take to continue to keep safe over the festive period.
Please get your vaccine and your booster when your turn comes. Please test at least twice weekly using LFDs and take a test each time you are socialising with people outwith your household.
Reduce the number of people you catch up with, try to meet outdoors or if indoors ensure ventilation is good. Keep up the other public health measures: wash your hands, clean surfaces, maintain distances and of course wear a face covering in public spaces .