Easing of restrictions a boost for patients
Visitors can now return to wards to see sick loved ones
Visiting has been reintroduced at Lanarkshire’s three hospitals following updated Scottish Government guidance.
The new arrangements came into effect on Christmas Eve, and patients can now have two visits a day, with no more than two visitors at each visit.
There will be some ward areas and settings where the environment will not accommodate two visitors due to Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing.
However, ward staff will accommodate a named person, where possible.
There will also remain in place essential visiting in ward areas or settings where there may be an active outbreak.
Visiting will still be by appointment only and visitors need to contact the ward to arrange a time to visit.
They will also need to have a negative lateral flow test and staff will be asking people to confirm they have undertaken a test before access to wards.
NHS Lanarkshire nurse director Susan Friel said: “We have reviewed our essential visiting restrictions and are now in a position to be able to accommodate two visits a day with no more than two visitors at each visit for patients.
“We know that this will bring some comfort to our patients who may not have been able to see loved ones over the last couple of weeks.
“This will provide those patients in hospital with the vital support they need from family, carers or friends.
“However, while the majority of our patients will be able to have visitors, there are some restrictions which we need to maintain in areas where space is confined or we have an outbreak and patient safety is paramount.
“While visitors can now have close contact with their loved one, they are reminded to adhere to physical distancing in communal areas of the hospital, wear face coverings at all times and frequently wash their hands
when entering and leaving clinical areas.”
The following measures are in place to manage visiting safely and minimise risk:
■ A lateral flow test must be undertaken and a negative result verbally confirmed to ward staff.
■ While NHS Lanarkshire is allowing two visits with no more
than two people. Those visiting must not exceed three households, including the patient, as per Scottish Government guidance.
■ No visits should take place if the visitor has symptoms of Covid-19, or is quarantining because they have had contact with a person with Covid-19.
■ Physical distancing must be
observed in all communal areas of the hospital.
■ Face coverings must be worn, and existing hand hygiene measures will continue.
■ Movement around other areas must be limited as much as possible and communal gatherings in public areas of the hospital must be avoided.