Virus surge halts visits at the RUH

Visiting has been suspended at Bath’s Royal United Hospital due to high Covid cases locally and on the wards.

The NHS Foundation Trust explained that the measure, which took effect on Thursday, December 30, would last “until further notice”.

In November 2020, visiting hours were halted to protect patients and staff - only resuming in April 2021, once cases had dropped.

However, as coronavirus infections continue to climb across Bath and North East Somerset, the RUH has closed its doors to visitors.

Chief nurse Toni Lynch said: “Suspending visiting isn’t a decision we take lightly. We know this is difficult for our patients and their loved ones.

“However, as the Omicron variant spreads, we have had to take this step in order to keep our patients and staff safe. That’s always our top priority.

“We are absolutely committed to helping our patients to stay in touch with their friends and family in other ways.

“Patients are encouraged to use phone calls and video calls, and our staff will help with this wherever possible. Please do talk to our ward teams about this.

“We will keep these visiting restrictions under regular review and will make sure we publicise any future changes as and when they are made. Thank you for your understanding.”

The current case rate for coronavirus in B&NES is 1,226.3 per 100,000 people and a government heatmap shows infections climbed by 37 per cent in the seven days prior to December 29.

While the percentage of infections across the region remains lower than in most parts of London, South Wales, and the North West, at the latest count, there were 45 people with Covid in the RUH five of whom were on ventilators.

These are the few circumstances in which one visitor - who is an immediate family member or carer - will be allowed entry:

■ A parent or appropriate adult visiting their child;

■ When patients are nearing the end of their life;

■ When a parent or carer is accompanying a vulnerable adult;

People are asked to contact the ward in advance to discuss appropriate arrangements.

Any inpatients who have Covid, or are awaiting test results for the virus, cannot receive visitors unless they are receiving end of life care.

However, there will be no changes to the current maternity visiting guidelines, which are:

■ Up to two people can continue to accompany you through labour and birth;

■ You can be joined by one support person when attending an outpatient appointment;

■ Visiting for your support person after your baby is born, 9am - 9pm on Mary ward;

■ Your support person can continue to join you for your scan appointments;

■ Children are not permitted to attend any appointments.

A face covering must be worn and your support person must perform a lateral flow test before attending any appointment.

If the result is positive they must not attend and follow current Government guidance. Proof of a negative result will be requested.

For outpatient appointments or care in the Emergency Department:

■ Adult patients should attend on their own unless they need a carer; ■ Children can be accompanied by one adult but not siblings.

All the wards have a mobile phone and an ipad with Whatsapp and Zoom to help people contact their loved ones for a chat.