NHS Lothian is delighted to announce changes to its hospital visiting policy which will mean that every patient across Lothian will be able to have at least one visitor where circumstances allow.
The move, which is in line with Scottish Government guidance, recognises that family support plays a fundamental part of care for a person in hospital. The changes came into effect yesterday (Monday 26 April).
Professor Alex McMahon, Executive Director for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Healthcare Professionals, NHS Lothian said, “It is fantastic to see a change in visiting come into force across Scotland.
“Being in hospital at any time can be difficult, but being unable to see visitors can make the experience even more challenging. This change really will mean so much for our patients, as well as their families and friends.”
Each prospective visitor should speak to their relative or friend’s care team to establish a visiting plan. To help minimise overcrowding on sites and within wards, each visit must be planned in advance. To book a visit, you should speak to the ward staff in the first instance.
Please do not visit if you have symptoms of COVID-19, such as a new continuous cough, a high temperature and/or loss of taste or smell, or if you have been identified as a contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Each patient can have one designated visitor. In unique circumstances, more than one person may be permitted to visit, such as in situations where patients are nearing end of life, for patients with dementia, for children who want to visit, or for those who cannot visit independently.
In order to keep our patients as safe as possible, the guidance may need to be amended at short notice. If this is the case, we will tell you why and keep it under review where possible.
On arrival to our facilities, please check-in with a member of the ward team who will make sure that it is safe to visit. During your visit, you must wear a face covering and follow infection control guidance.
Social distancing of two meters must be adhered to in all communal areas of the hospital. To provide our patients with support, holding hands is permitted during your visit, but hand hygiene requirements must be followed prior to, during and after your visit.
Gillian McAuley added: “While this is a huge step forward, we would urge the public to please be patient with us, and to support this change by observing the different requirements such as wearing face coverings and practicing good hand hygiene. Our teams will be on hand to provide support and if you have any questions, please do speak to them.”
We encourage all visitors to take a voluntary Lateral Flow Test prior to visiting. Information on how to order Lateral Flow Tests is available on the Scottish Government’s website.
Tests can also be collected from COVID testing centres in the afternoon or early evenings. If you do not wish to have a test or are not able to, you will still be permitted to visit
The name and contact details of all visitors will be kept and given to the NHS Scotland Test and Protect Team to assist with contact tracing in the event of a possible case of COVID-19.
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