People will now be able to visit their loved ones at a Bristol hospital following a change in its guidelines.
North Bristol NHS Trust, which runs Southmead Hospital and Cossham Hospital, has updated its policy in line with the Government’s new guidance.
The changes mean a single visit per patient per day by a family member or friend is now permitted with visiting allowed between 11am and 7pm.
Meanwhile the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG has said all outpatients and visitors to any local hospital mut wear a face covering.
Under the changes, patients in Southmead can be visited by different family of friends during their admission.
Those arriving to visit a patient must wear a face covering for the duration of their visit when in the clinical area.
A face mask will be provided for visitors when they arrive on the ward.
All visitors must follow the handwashing instructions given and be prepared to wear a mask, apron and gloves at all times when visiting.
Only a single visit will be facilitated on any day with visits being as short as 15 minutes.
The hospital trust is recommending that any visit should last a maximum of two hours depending on the patients’ condition.
The changes will also see a single birth partner allowed to stay with a woman in labour.
People should contact the ward before their first visit so staff can confirm the visitor is not displaying any symptoms of COVID 19.
Visitors will also be asked if they have received a letter advising them to stay at home and whether anyone in their household has had symptoms of Covid 19 in their household during the last 14 days.
People attending an outpatient or general treatment appointment are still being asked to arrive at the hospital alone.
However, patients may be accompanied where it is appropriate or necessary to assist with their communication and/or to meet the patients immediate health and social care needs.
A carer is also permitted to attend with an outpatient if they have a learning disability or dementia with specific needs that require support from a carer.
One parent is permitted if a patient is 18 years or under.
Patients are also able to attend with one other person when they require emotional support during attendance to outpatients. Before a visitor attends with an outpatient they must confirm they have not received a ‘shielding’ letter advising them to remain at home.
They will also be asked to confirm that they are not required to self-isolate because they live in a household where someone has had symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days and they are not displaying or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
Dr Martin Jones, Medical Director at Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire clinical commissioning group, said: “Patient and staff safety continues to be our top priority and these new measures will further help to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and keep our hospitals safe for patients as well as staff.
“Evidence shows that people infected with Covid-19 can have very mild or no respiratory symptoms and can transmit the virus without being aware of it, so it’s important we take these extra steps to stop transmission of the virus.
“As well as wearing face coverings, it’s also vital that people continue to observe the national guidance on hand hygiene and social distancing.”
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation NHS Trust, which runs 10 hospitals across the Bristol area, continues to suspend visiting to its hospitals.
Exceptions can be made on compassionate grounds, including vulnerable patients with dementia or learning disabilities, patients with a key carer, patients receiving end-of-life care, neonatal and labour wards and children's services.
Exceptions must be pre-arranged with the matron or nurse in charge .
A spokesman for the trust said the restrictions on visiting were currently being reviewed.
