Hospital visits suspended after rise in virus patients
Health chiefs have confirmed the number of COVID-19 admissions to hospitals in Sunderland and South Tyneside have risen as visits are suspended.
Leaders at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust have suspended visiting to all adult inpatient wards at its hospitals.
The Trust has also seen a rise in the number of number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 being admitted to hospital over the past week.
From today, visiting to all adult inpatient wards will be temporarily stopped to protect both staff and patients, many of whom are vulnerable and at higher risk of serious complications from COVID-19. This also includes visitors to the Trust’s Intermediate Care and Rehabilitation (ICAR) Unit bat Houghton Primary Care Centre.
The move comes as residents in South Tyneside and Sunderland are urged to do their bit by closely following public health guidance to avoid further restrictions being imposed after a sharp rise in cases.
The Trust is advising that visiting will not be allowed at this time, except in the following circumstances. Where visiting is permitted PPE must be worn:
Patients receiving endof-life care( visiting arrangements will be at the discretion of the nurse in charge).
Women in labour will be
able to have one birthing partner and can bring one person with them to their scan appointments only.
One parent or carer will be able to accompany children in children’s emergency department, children’s wards and neonatal unit.
Patients with dementia, a learning disability or autism and those who require a carer will be able to have one person accompanying them.
Anyone attending an outpatient appointment and those coming into the Emer
gency Departments at South Director at South Tyneside Tyneside District Hospital and Sunderland NHS Founand Sunderland Royal Hosdation Trust said: “We have pital should attend alone and had to take the difficult deciwill need to wear a face mask, sion to suspend visiting to all practice good hand hygiene adult inpatient wards due to and maintain social distancthe rise in cases of COVID-19 ing at all times. that we are now seeing in our
As many other areas in the community and our hospicountry face the prospect of tals. local lockdowns, local health "We understand that this leaders are saying now is the will be frustrating for family time to make sure people are and friends of our patients, aware of the rules and to be but we need to do all we can clear of the consequences of to protect patients and staff not following them. and minimise the risk of the
Dr Shaz Wahid, Medical virus spreading across our hospital sites.
“Coronavirus is still very much out there and it is vitally important that everyone does their bit to protect themselves and others, especially those who are most vulnerable in our community.”
The Trust will continue to provide virtual visiting via iPads for patients who do not have the means to contact family and friends and will continue to pass on messages, letters and photos through its #SendingLove scheme.