Revised Inpatient Visiting Guidance 4 January 2022

Inpatients in healthcare settings can be more vulnerable to severe illness because of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Following the latest guidance from NHS England and NHS Improvement, we have updated our own inpatient visiting guidance.
 
Only one named visitor is permitted to visit symptom management patients, between 2pm and 6pm daily.

Visiting for patients at end of life is open and unrestricted, however only two visitors to attend at any one time.

Anyone showing any symptoms of COVID-19 should not visit. This is essential for infection prevention and control. If visitors display symptoms of COVID-19 or have a positive test result they should stay at home and self-isolate immediately. If they have symptoms of COVID-19, they should arrange to take a PCR test as soon as possible, even if they’ve had one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Anyone feeling unwell, even if they have tested negative for COVID-19 and are fully vaccinated and have received their booster, should not visit.

Lateral flow testing must take place for each visitor and be brought into reception on arrival. Lateral flow kits can be given to family members the day before a visit if known, alternatively they can be collected at reception and undertaken in cars 30 minutes before a visit.
All visitors must always wear a face covering, including when entering and moving through the Hospice, unless medically exempt for which evidence should be provided. Temperature checks and risk assessment to be undertaken at reception on every occasion. 

Nurse call bells must be used in the room if assistance is required from staff. 

As visitors enter a room, the care staff will aim to exit a room to keep numbers in a room to a safe level that supports social distancing. 

Visiting outside of these hours, or for more than two visitors in a room at any time for end of life patients must be agreed with the nurse in charge and will be agreed on an individual basis. 

Visiting pets will be at the discretion of the nurse in charge.

Our aim is to keep both patients and staff safe and we understand that visitors are very important. We will consider risks of the spread of Covid-19 in the context of individual circumstances and government guidance.

If you would like to discuss this further, please contact the senior nurse on duty.
 
Thank you for your support.