Restrictions on hospital visits eased
HOSPITAL visiting restrictions are being eased under new measures announced by the Welsh Government.
Updated guidance, effective from Monday has been issued to allow health boards and NHS trusts to “strike a balance” between allowing visiting while maintaining strict infection control measures.
Most visiting will have to be approved by the nurse in charge and will only be permitted as long as visitors do not have any Covid-19 symptoms or have not been “knowingly exposed” to someone with the virus in the past 14 days.
But it states that visiting cannot return to “business as usual” as the virus is still spreading in our communities.
“Face-to-face visiting should be with a purpose ie. not just a social occasion,” the guidance states.
“It is to improve the wellbeing and aid the recovery of a patient or benefit the wellbeing of a visitor eg. a visit from a young person who is distressed at not being able to see their parent, guardian or carer.”
When it comes to paediatric inpatients and patients on neonatal wards, one parent, guardian or carer is allowed at the bedside at a time.
Patients in the last days of their life can have up to two visitors at a time – for a specified amount of time – from the same household or part of an extended household.
If they are not from the same household, or not part of an extended household, they should visit the bedside separately and maintain distance outside of the clinical area.
For patients with mental health needs, learning disability or cognitive impairment , one visitor is allowed at a time. However, this only applies where lack of visiting would “cause distress”, or is required as a “reasonable adjustment to support access to health assessment or intervention”.
People with long-term conditions who need to be in hospital for an extended period of time can have a visitor, particularly if they actively contribute to their care, such as helping with feeding.
Children and young people may visit a parent/ guardian/carer or sibling in a healthcare setting and should be accompanied by one appropriate adult.
In Covid-positive wards, any visitors must be made aware of the risks and advised of infection prevention and control measures in place, including the use of any PPE (personal protection equipment) required during their visit.
Patients receiving endof-life care on Covid wards may receive visitors during their last days of life if permission is sought in advance. This may be up to two visitors, one at the bedside at a time – for a specified amount of time – preferably from the same household or part of an extended household.
Accompanying patients to scheduled appointments may be in the following situations, which the guidance states is “by no means exhaustive”:
■ Individuals with a mental health issue such as dementia, a learning disability or autism, where not being accompanied would cause the patient to be distressed.
■ Individuals with cognitive impairment who may be unable to recall health advice provided.
■ Where the treatment/ procedure is likely to cause the patient distress and the visitor can provide support.
■ Visitors who have received a shielding letter from the chief medical officer for Wales should not accompany patients unless essential.
Previous guidance around pregnant women and pre-planned antenatal appointments stated that women could only be accompanied by one birthing partner and only during active labour and at birth. However, from Monday, partners will now be allowed to attend pre-planned antenatal appointments and ultrasounds. However it is only applicable when attending the maternity hospital for the following reasons:
■ 12-week pregnancy dating scan
■ early pregnancy clinic
■ anomaly scan
■ attendance at Fetal Medicine Department.