Coronavirus Visitor Update
Visitor Guidance Updated: 4th April 2022
Due to Covid-19 we continue to have restricted access to the hospice building for family members and friends of patients on the Inpatient Unit to ensure that our patients, staff and volunteers working within the Hospice are safe. We review our visiting restrictions on a regular basis and adjust them, depending on the national and/or local infection rates and guidance.
Patients will be asked to identify their five named visitors and advise the clinical teams. Nominated visitors must be an immediate family member (spouse/partner/parent/child or other personal support) and only two of these can visit the patient at any one time. Whilst we recognise the distress this may cause, please do not attempt to come to the hospice if you are not the nominated visitor as this will divert our staff from delivering care to our patients.
Visitors cannot be rotated unless they develop symptoms of COVID-19 and are required to self-isolate and any change in visitor must be agreed with the Nurse-in-Charge.
If a patient has been confirmed as positive for COVID-19 then unfortunately no visitors will be permitted for a period of 10 days. This time period is different to members of the public in the community, following guidance from Infection Prevention and Control. The only exceptional circumstance for visiting will be if the patient is entering the last days and hours of life. At this time, if possible, we will offer an opportunity for the patient’s nominated visitors to visit the hospice to say goodbye. In the event of a named visitor not being double vaccinated, they will need to isolate as per Government guidance post visit.
Testing for visitors
Visitors to the hospice will no longer need to test before their arrival, but they will be asked to take necessary precautions to keep themselves and loved ones safe, in line with guidance for the general population.
It is essential for infection prevention and control that if visitors display symptoms of COVID-19 they do not visit the Hospice.
While visiting the hospice
Masks will be given to visitors at the main reception areas.
During your visit, you will need to:
- Wear your mask at all times, including when with patients.
- Respect social distancing.
- Regularly wash your hands. There are hand sanitiser dispensers around the hospice you can use.
Please do not hesitate to speak with a member of staff if you have any queries.