James has welcomed visitor restrictions being eased at QEH which will now allow patients to have one visitor per day.
Following new national guidance and a decline in COVID-19 infection rates locally, patients will be allowed to have visitors once again at QEH.
From 3 May patients are able to have one visitor per patient, for up to an hour per day. Visiting slots must be booked in advance with ward teams via the Trust’s Switchboard on 01553 613613 on weekdays between 10am and 12 noon. If visitors have trouble getting through to the ward, visiting booking slots can also be made via the Trust’s Family Liaison Officers on 07909 994722 or 07909 395415. QEH are expecting a high volume of calls so ask for your patience as they safely reintroduce visiting to the hospital.
Some rules will remain in place across hospital sites to help keep people safe from COVID-19. This includes all visitors wearing facemasks while on site (unless medically exempt), decontaminating hands on arrival and departure from the hospital, and maintaining social distancing where possible.
As well as visiting resuming on inpatient wards, patients attending an outpatient appoint will now also be able to bring along one other person for support to all wards and departments so long as social distancing can be maintained in each area.
Alice Webster, Chief Nurse at QEH said:
“Enabling more visits is important for our patients’ physical and emotional recovery so we are pleased to have been able to put plans in place for the reintroduction of limited visiting. We will continue monitoring the situation carefully, and ensuring Hands, Face, Space guidance is followed, so that our patients, staff and visitors are all kept safe.”
Compassionate visiting for those patients with dementia, at end-of-life, with learning disabilities, autism, mental health problems, children and maternity remains in place.
Please do not visit any hospital or healthcare facility if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or are a close contact of someone who is confirmed COVID-19 positive.
Commenting James said:
"Having visits from family and friends is an important part of patient recovery and wellbeing so I welcome this new approach."
