Routine visiting will be suspended in most Tayside hospitals

Routine visiting will be suspended in most Tayside hospitals as the entire region is placed in Tier 3.

T h e S c o t t i s h Government confirmed yesterday that Angus and Perth and Kinross will join Dundee in Tier 3 as of tomorrow.

The guidance advises that hospital visiting should be limited to “essential visits only”.

Visiting will still be allowed for patients receiving end-of-life care or to support someone with a mental health issue if the absence of visitors would cause the patient distress.

Government guidance allows one visitor in these circumstances, under the condition they observe physical distancing and that a clinician has judged it safe and appropriate.

Anyone with a question about visiting should contact the senior charge nurse in the ward to discuss their situation.

Parents can still visit Ta y s ide Ch i ldren ’s Hospital.

Pa t ien ts shou ld continue to attend hospital for outpatient clinic appointments and for planned procedures.

Patients are asked to a tt e n d appointments alone with the exception o f ch i ld ren and vulnerable adults, who can be accompanied by one person.

Claire Pearce, director of nursing and midwifery with NHS Tayside, said: “We understand that suspending visiting will impact on families and patients and we know that not being able to visit family members whilst they are in hospital is distressing for many people.

“However, with all of Tayside now in Tier 3, it is vital that we follow Scottish Government guidance.”