Restrictions on visiting town hospital due to Covid
VISITS from relatives or friends of inpatients at Loughborough Community Hospital have been limited in light of the high rate of coronavirus cases.
Health bosses at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust have brought in the measure at its hospitals, in a bid to reduce the spread of Covid-19 among vulnerable people in hospital. Only some visits will be allowed in exceptional circumstances. The restriction will affect these sites: Agnes Unit, Leicester Beacon Unit, Leicester Bennion Centre, Leicester Bradgate Mental Health Unit, Leicester
Evington Centre, Leicester Herschel Prins Centre, Leicester
Coalville Community Hospital Hinckley and Bosworth Community Hospital Loughborough Community Hospital
Melton Mowbray Community Hospital
Mill Lodge, Narborough Rutland Memorial Community Hospital
Stewart House and The Willows, Narborough
St. Luke’s Community Hospital, Market Harborough
Loved ones will still be able to pay a visit in cases when a patient is receiving end of life care or when the visit of a close family member or carer/friend would alleviate significant mental or physical distress to the patient.
You can also come in if the patient is a child being visited by a parent or an appropriate adult.
You will need to book a visiting slot with the ward and answer a series of screening questions, as well as taking a lateral flow test on the day of the visit.
Visitors will also be required to wear a surgical facemask, and you must not visit if you test positive for Covid-19 or have symptoms. Symptoms include:
A new continuous cough
A high temperature
A loss of, or change in, your normal sense of smell or taste
Any respiratory symptoms: sneezing, runny nose or sore throat Sickness and/or diarrhoea, in the last 48 hours prior to visiting
Dr Anne Scott, executive director of nursing, said: “We apologise for the distress and inconvenience this will cause.
“However, this is a vital infection prevention and control measure to limit the further spread of Covid-19 among vulnerable groups of hospital inpatients.
“We recognise the importance of connecting patients with their families, friends and carers and therefore strongly recommend virtual visits where possible.
“All wards have been equipped with dedicated tablet computers to make this possible.”
The trust has set up a ‘Message to a Loved One’ service, to help inpatients keep in touch with their nearest and dearest while they are in hospital. This visitor guidance will be reviewed on January 14.