Trust tightens visiting rules

Maidenhead: Hospitals make changes to protect health

Restrictions have been introduced for visitors to Wexham Park Hospital due to the high number of COVID-19 infections in the community.

The latest data from

Public Health Berkshire shows 902 people tested positive for the virus between Sunday, November 28 and Saturday, December 4 in Windsor and Maidenhead.

Neighbouring Slough recorded 610 positive coronavirus cases over the same period.

Frimley Health NHS Foundation trust, which runs Wexham Park and Heatherwood hospitals, has now announced visits to patients in the general adult wards will be restricted to one nominated person for one hour per day.

This must be the same person on each visit and all slots must be booked in advance via the ward, the trust added.

The trust said visiting is not possible in the following areas:

W Emergency Department and associated short stay units

W Wards caring for patients who have, or are suspected to have, COVID-19

W Areas where patients have been admitted for planned surgeries, including Heatherwood Hospital

The restrictions also apply to Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey and Heatherwood in Ascot.

There may be exceptions for patients under the age of 18, those receiving end-oflife care or those who have dementia or a learning disability, the trust added.

There are separate guidelines for children’s wards and maternity wards.

The latest NHS figures show 65 patients with COVID-19 were occupying beds at the Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust as of Tuesday, November 30.

This compared to 67 at the trust’s three hospitals on November 23.

See www.fhft.nhs.uk/yourvisit/visiting-times for further details on visiting restrictions.

W As the Advertiser went to press yesterday (Thursday), the Government was preparing to hold a COVID news conference.

According to media reports, the Government was considering tighter restrictions in response to the new variant, including working from home where possible.