Hospital visitors flouting Covid rules
NHS TRUST SAYS IT COULD TIGHTEN RESTRICTIONS
BURTON hospital bosses have called out visitors for breaking Covid rules – and are threatening to tighten them if it continues.
Senior staff at the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Burton’s Queen’s Hospital, say large groups have been accompanying patients to hospital.
They have, according to the trust, been “disregarding” the rules in place to protect patients and staff from Covid infection.
A trust spokesman said: “Our outpatient and emergency departments have recently seen an increase in large numbers accompanying patients into hospital and disregarding the rules we have in place.
“While we understand the importance of our patients seeing their friends and family, we ask that our communities work with us, follow the rules in place and consider if their visit is essential.
“We have had a compassionate visiting policy in place for some time now, with many people using our virtual visiting service.
“We ask that if a face-to-face visit is not essential, other options are explored. Visiting restrictions could be further tightened if current rules are not followed as we will not put the safety of our colleagues and those they are caring for at risk.”
The spokesman said: “In order to protect our colleagues, patients and communities, it is crucial that as a trust, we continue to manage visits carefully.
“With Covid inpatient numbers rising, and set to continue to rise due to schools returning, visiting restrictions cannot be lifted entirely.
“However, we are making steps towards adopting a safest visiting approach, allowing our patients opportunity to see their friends and family, while continuing to prevent the spread of infection.
“Our updated guidance to all visitors includes:
■ Ensuring that you are not symptomatic of Covid-19
■ Request that you take a lateral flow test if visiting a ward
■ Wear your face mask at all times
■ Wash and sanitise your hands regularly
■ One visitor per inpatient, for one hour a day
■ Two birth partners allowed at the point of active labour
“The full details of our visiting guidance can we found on our website.”
The trust has been asked for more information about which specific rules are being broken.
We will not put the safety of our colleagues and those they are caring for at risk.
NHS Trust spokesman