Routine visiting has been suspended in community hospitals in Tayside following the announcement that Perth and Kinross has been placed in level three of the Scottish Government’s coronavirus restrictions system.
Visiting will be suspended in Tayside community hospitals from Friday, November 13.
All wards at Blairgowrie Community Hospital, Pitlochry Community Hospital, Crieff Community Hospital and Murray Royal Hospital will stop allowing patients to receive visitors.
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All wards at Perth Royal Infirmary and Fife’s Ninewells Hospital and Carseview Centre were already keeping routine visitors away.
Visiting can continue in specific circumstances, for example on visitor to support patients receiving end-of-life care or to support someone with a mental health issue such as dementia, a learning disability or autism where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed.
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Virtual visiting for patients using telephones, tablets and laptops will endeavour to keep people in touch with their loved ones.
NHS Tayside’s director of nursing and midwifery Claire Pearce said, “We understand that suspending visiting will impact on families and patients and we know that not being able to visit family members whilst they are in hospital is distressing for many people.
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“However, with all of Tayside now in Level 3 restrictions, it is vital that we follow Scottish Government guidance on hospital visiting and keep our patients, staff and the public safe.
“Where appropriate we will continue to offer virtual visiting for patients using telephones, tablets and laptops to allow people to keep in touch with their loved ones.”
