Wirral hospitals have returned to "full restrictions" on visiting patients amid concerns over the recent rise in covid cases across the borough.
Wirral University Hospital Trust, which oversees Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral Women and Children's Hospital and Clatterbridge Hospital, announced last week they had reintroduced full restrictions on all wards in response to the rise in coronavirus infections.
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Wirral also announced on Wednesday (16 June) the centre would be reintroducing full visiting restrictions effective immediately on all of their sites.
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A statement issued on the centre's website said: "Many people with cancer are at particularly high risk from infections such as COVID-19 and we have to put our patients’ safety first. We hope you understand why we have taken this decision."
Restrictions include no visitors being allowed on impatient wards other than in cases of exceptional circumstances agreed with medics, including end of life.
Visitors are not allowed to accompany patients to appointments, with some exceptions for patients with additional needs.
Restrictions have also been placed on business visitors and contractors, with only those visits dealing with essential work and maintenance being allowed.
Special arrangements are also in place for family members to communicate with inpatients and arrange for items to be delivered.
At Wirral University Hospital Trust, which oversees Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral Women and Children's Hospital and Clatterbridge Hospital, a pilot project on some wards to ease restrictions has been stopped due to the rise in infections.
In a statement issued on its website, the trust confirmed full restrictions on visits, with certain exceptional circumstances, are bow in place across all its sites.
The statement says: "Wirral University Teaching Hospital has taken the difficult decision to suspend visiting at its hospitals.
"In recent weeks a pilot was underway to ease visiting restrictions on certain wards at Arrowe Park Hospital.
"However due to an increase in prevalence of COVID-19 in the Wirral community and to protect patients and staff, the Trust has made the decision to suspend visiting at its Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge hospitals.
"Visiting will still be able to take place in exceptional circumstances such as for patients who are receiving end of life care, have dementia, have a learning disability or where a lack of visiting will be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of a patient."
The Trust also confirmed that existing provisions would remain in place for pregnant women with a support person able to attend appointments alongside patients, as well as a birthing partner during labour, although no other visitors will be allowed.
The statement says: "There are separate provisions for Wirral Women and Children’s Hospital to ensure pregnant women are supported.
"Pregnant women can bring along a support person to the following: the early pregnancy unit; all antenatal scans; other antenatal appointments where the woman considers it is important to have support and as their one birthing partner during labour."
Chief Nurse and Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, Hazel Richards, said: “We would like to thank the Wirral community for the way they have responded over the past year and for the support they have given.
“The decision to suspend visiting has not been taken lightly and we realise how difficult it is for families at this time.
"This is a precautionary measure to protect patients and staff as there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases in the community.
"The safety of patients and staff remains our priority and we will continue to respond to changes of the pandemic.
“Our Family Support Team are available for anyone who wishes to discuss how to contact a loved one.”
