Hospital issues update on visits after self isolation is scrapped

A Merseyside hospital Trust has issued an update on their visiting rules following the Prime Minister's announcement that self-isolation will be scrapped this week.

Southport and Ormskirk Hospital Trust has revealed that it plans to keep restrictions in place to protect vulnerable patients from the virus despite Boris Johnson's plan being announced yesterday.

The NHS Trust will continue to keep hospital visits to a minimum and has asked those entering the hospital to continue wearing masks and to use hand sanitisers provided in the buildings.

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Dr Kate Clark, medical director at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, said: “We know from conversations we have with patient families how distressing it can be not being able to visit freely.

“However, many of our patients are frail and vulnerable, and we must continue taking precautions to keep them safe while the potential for Covid infection remains.”

Visits are to be arranged by appointment for some patients who need direct support from family and friends. It is usually limited to one person per patient unless the patient is at the end of their life in which case two visitors are allowed.

Separate arrangements are in place for visits to maternity and the children’s ward at Ormskirk hospital, and North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre at Southport hospital.

Dr Clark added: “We continue to see deaths of patients with Covid. The threat from this deadly disease has not gone away. We must learn to live with Covid and still protect those at risk.”

Precautions listed by the trust when visiting are:

• "You must wear a face-covering during your visit unless you have a documented medical exemption. You must also wear gloves and a disposable apron when visiting an inpatient. These are provided by the Trust
• "All visitors should take a same-day lateral flow test, regardless of vaccination status and be able to provide proof of a negative result. Test kits are available free from local pharmacies as well as online. Anyone testing positive will need to follow up with a PCR test a local testing centre
• "On arrival at hospital, visitors’ temperatures will be checked and they will be asked about possible Covid symptoms. Anyone with a raised temperature or Covid symptoms will not be able to visit"

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