Inpatient services: guidance for carers and families

This page includes information for carers and patients using our inpatient (hospital) services.

Please note that we may need to introduce temporary visiting restrictions at short notice, if there are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 at one of our inpatient units. Please call in advance, before setting off, to check the arrangements at the unit where your loved one is staying. Thank you for your understanding.

Changes to mask-wearing guidance

In line with the latest national guidance, the wearing of face masks in our healthcare settings will now be a personal choice for service users, carers and visitors.

Face masks will be available at our buildings for anyone who would like one. Where individuals have known health conditions and have previously been identified as being at risk, we will support them to consider wearing a mask.

Our staff may be wearing face masks. This is to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of people in our care, and other colleagues.

Other measures

We are continuing with measures to prevent the spread of infection including hand-sanitising, ventilation and the wiping down of surfaces.

If you are coming to an appointment, you may still be contacted beforehand and asked about your health. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you may be asked to reschedule your appointment.

If you are visiting a loved one in one of our inpatient (hospital) units, please check with the unit before visiting in case of last-minute changes to visiting times due to COVID.

Although there are still many cases of COVID in our communities, face-to-face visiting at our inpatient (hospital) units remains a priority for the Trust. We recognise that visiting is an essential part of a person’s recovery, and working in partnership with families and carers is vital.

We may have to introduce temporary restrictions at short notice if there are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 at one of our units. Please call in advance, before setting off, to check the arrangements at the unit where your loved one is staying.

The NHS is still subject to rigorous infection prevention and control measures.

Our approach to visiting

Please note the Trust’s approach to visiting:

Before visiting, please contact the ward where your loved one is staying. Please check with the ward staff that the ward is open for visiting. If there are confirmed or suspected cases of Coronavirus on the unit where your loved one is staying, it may be necessary to temporarily restrict or suspend visiting, sometimes at short notice. Please be understanding if this happens
When the ward confirms that it is open, you can plan to visit. The ward staff will confirm the visiting times and the number of people who can attend. Visits must be booked in advance. Visits may be shorter if there is a high demand for visits
On arrival, please report to the unit or ward reception area
Visitors will be informed about what to expect and about social distancing and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Good hand hygiene (handwashing) is needed
Visitors are welcome to wear a mask (or face covering) and will be offered hand washing facilities and sanitiser. If you would like a face mask during the visit, we will be happy to supply you with one
Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 must not visit
Visiting outside the unit is preferable and social distancing measures must be adhered to. Visitors should use hand sanitiser on arrival and departure
A suitable room will be provided for any indoor visit. This room will be cleaned before and after the visit.

We ask for your help in respecting these rules and remind visitors that it's not okay to abuse our staff. We are supportive of the step-down of national COVID restrictions and we want to support the recovery of our patients by keeping the risk of COVID coming into hospital settings to a minimum. We hope you recognise the value of our approach and find it helpful.

Before visiting, please consider:

Graphic representing a high temperature, coughing, loss of taste and smell

Have you had any of the following symptoms in the last 10 days?

A new, continuous dry cough
A high temperature
A loss of or change in your normal sense of taste and smell

You must not visit

Coronavirus graphic with alert symbol next to it

Have you been in contact with a known COVID-19 case in the past 14 days?

Are you or any members of your household self-isolating?

You must not visit

Have you recently returned from overseas travel and been advised to quarantine?

You must not visit

	Are you aged over 70?	There is a higher risk to your heath
	Are you pregnant?	There is a higher risk to your health

	Have you completed a lateral flow test? To ensure that everyone remains safe, and the risk of COVID-19 infection is minimal, it would be appreciated if visitors completed a lateral flow test (LFT) before their visit.
	Only one visitor should attend per patient and the same visitor, or a visitor from the same household, should only attend where possible. Where children or carers with support needs are visiting, reasonable adjustments can be undertaken. This can be arranged and agreed with the senior nurse.
	You are welcome to wear a face mask, but this is not required. If you forgot to bring one and would like to wear a face mask during your visit - don’t worry, you can ask for a face mask on arrival. When you arrive at the ward, please ring the bell or wait to speak with a member of staff. You will be directed to a visiting area.
	Please clean your hands using the sinks and soap available. Once you have done this, there will be hand sanitiser available for regular use. This is available: On arrival to the hospital and on entering the ward On leaving the visiting area On leaving the ward On leaving the hospital building As soon as you get home.
	Please try to arrive on time for your visit and, once the visit has ended, we ask that you do not visit other parts of the hospital.
	Please do not visit any other areas of the hospital once your visit has ended.

The following brochure is available to all service users and carers on our wards, and gives information on what changes they can expect to take place on their ward during this time.