Hospital patients to get more visitors

Patients at St John’s Hospital will be able to see a loved one for the first time since lockdown from this week.

Visits at NHS Lothian sites were “carefully reintroduced” on Monday.

The move means that patients in hospital wards with no Covid-19 outbreaks will be able to spend time with one designated visitor.

Expectant mums can now have one additional visitor as well as one birth partner to support them while in labour.

Women will also be able to have a designated visitor, as well as their birth partner, to visit them in the maternity ward.

Birth partners can now attend antenatal ultrasound scanning appointments.

Professor Alex McMahon, director of nursing at NHS Lothian, said he kneew separation has been difficult for some families and friends.

He added: “The staff on our wards have worked hard during this pandemic to ensure that as much communication and contact with patients and relatives could be maintained.

“They, like the rest of our society, recognise that there is nothing more special than to physically see your loved one in person.

“We still need to be really careful and we have some new guidelines in place which will be absolutely vital to minimise the risk of infection but I know relatives and friends will support us and work with us.

“We would like to ask everyone to continue to observe all current Covid-19 guidance and it is absolutely critical that you do not visit if you have Covid- 19 symptoms or are self-isolating.”

As part of the new national guidance, released by Scottish Government, one visitor can be assigned to each patient, in addition to the essential visitors already permitted in certain circumstances.

This includes patients receiving end-oflife care, inpatients in children’s services and patients with mental health issues including dementia, learning disabilities and autism.

Visitors will be asked to adhere to arrange slots in advance, wear face coverings as well as any PPE that the area requires, maintain physical distancing where possible and adhere to hand hygiene guidance.

Areas where there is a Covid- 19 outbreak or areas with Covid-19 positive patients will still have essential visitors only.