Tag: hospital visiting

Health Board issues COVID-19, flu and Norovirus advice to visitors 

Members of the public are being asked not to visit NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde hospitals if they are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, flu or Norovirus.

Those who plan to visit loved ones in hospital should only do so if they are not displaying any symptoms and all visitors should wear a mask, if eligible, during their time on site.

Symptoms of Norovirus include:

  • Suddenly feeling sick
  • Projectile vomiting
  • Watery diarrhoea
  • Slight fever
  • Headaches
  • Painful stomach cramps and aching limbs

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

  • Continuous cough
  • High temperature, fever or chills
  • Loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
  • Shortness of breath
  • Unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
  • Muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise
  • Not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
  • Headache that’s unusual or longer lasting than usual
  • Sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
  • Diarrhoea
  • Feeling sick or being sick

Symptoms of flu include:

  • A sudden fever
  • A dry, chesty cough
  • A headache
  • Tiredness and weakness
  • Chills
  • Aching muscles
  • Limb or joint pain
  • Diarrhoea or abdominal (tummy) pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • A sore throat
  • A runny or blocked nose
  • Sneezing
  • Loss of appetite
  • Difficulty sleeping

Taking precautions against viral infections have become part of our everyday life in recent years and we can all continue to help each other by following guidance around slowing the spread of the viruses and practicing good hygiene.

You can protect yourself and others by:

  • Staying at home if unwell, have a fever or are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 or Norovirus
  • Wearing a face covering in healthcare settings and not visiting loved ones if unwell
  • Wearing a face covering in indoor public places and on public transport
  • Cleaning hands and surfaces regularly
  • Opening windows when meeting indoors
  • Socialising outdoors when possible

Morag Gardner, Deputy Nurse Director for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Acute Division said: “During the winter months viral infections, such as COVID-19, flu and Norovirus, can further add to the pressures hard-working staff are facing across our sites.

“Our dedicated members of staff are working around the clock to continue to provide the highest standard of patient-centred care possible. To help protect yourself, your loved ones and our services, we are asking members of the public not to visit our hospital sites if they are displaying symptoms of any of these viruses. We are also asking anyone who does attend the site to follow infection control guidance, such as washing your hands regularly and wearing a mask during your time at the hospital.”

NHSGGC is urging people to only attend Emergency Department (A&E) across its sites if their condition is very urgent or life-threatening. 

Any patient unsure of who to turn to has a range of options available to them:

1.        Visit the NHS Inform website: https://www.nhsinform.scot/

2.       Call NHS24 on 111

3.       Visit the NHSGGC website: https://www.nhsggc.scot/your-health/right-care-right-place/

For very urgent or life-threatening emergencies, the public should continue calling 999 or attending A&E.

Omicron: Greater Glasgow to operate essential-only visiting

Due to the increasing challenges faced as a result of the new Omicron variant, and in order to protect the safety of our patients and staff, the difficult decision has been taken to operate essential-only visiting from Wednesday 5 January 2022 in our adult hospital wards.

This change will include maternity services meaning only one essential visitor will be permitted in all parts of the maternity pathway.

Jennifer Rodgers, Deputy Nurse Director at NHSGGC, said: “This has been one of the hardest decisions to take but it is essential to help protect our patients, visitors and staff. We recognise how difficult this is for patients and the people that matter most to them and we will keep this under close review so that restrictions are not in place any longer than is necessary.

“This decision has been reached in conjunction with senior infection control, public health, clinical and operational teams, and in the best interests of patient wellbeing.

Jennifer added: “Essential visiting arrangements will be applied flexibly and compassionately, and each patient’s needs considered on their own merits. Carers, those providing essential care or emotional support, or spiritual care are not considered to be visitors and will continue to be permitted to attend a patient in hospital. 

“Essential visits will be supported wherever possible and include the following illustrative examples:  

  • A birth partner supporting a woman during hospital visits and throughout the maternity pathway
  • A person receiving end-of-life care – we expect this to be defined as flexibly and compassionately as possible, to support patients at the end of life spending meaningful time with their loved ones in their final days, weeks or months 
  • To support someone with a mental health issue, or dementia, or a learning disability or autism, where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed 
  • To accompany a child in hospital 
  • In general situations when someone is receiving information about life-changing illness or treatments. 
  • In these and other similar situations where support from another person is essential for advocacy and wellbeing, family support should be facilitated. 

Evelyn Frame, Chief Midwife said: “We understand that support from birthing partners has a positive impact on a woman’s experience so making this decision has been very difficult but, as this variant seems to be more transmissible, our priority has to be keeping our women and staff as safe as possible.

“For our inpatient areas we encourage a person-centred, flexible visiting approach and within ante-natal and post-natal visiting continues but only the birthing partner will be allowed.  No other visitors will be allowed including siblings. During labour and birth only one birthing partner will also be allowed to stay throughout the whole labour experience.

“In our outpatient areas – anyone coming for a scan, early pregnancy or day care, or perhaps an outpatient appointment with one of our physiotherapist, dietician, midwife or obstetrician there is no change and you can bring your birthing partner for the duration of your appointment.

“Anyone with questions about visiting arrangements should speak to their midwife.”

Angela O’Neil Deputy Nurse Director said: “we recognise how difficult it is for families being apart, especially when their loved one is unwell.

“Where possible ward staff will continue to support patients to maintain contact with those closest to them however due to the extreme pressures staff are under if may not be possible to give an exact time or day when a video call or telephone call can be guaranteed.

“We are sorry for any distress this may cause and of course, staff will always try to facilitate these calls where possible, however we ask for your understanding while we try to manage under very challenging circumstances. Further information on arranging a virtual visit can be found on the NHSGGC Webpages

“The successful ‘Give and Go Service’ available earlier in the pandemic will be remobilised for family to drop-off essential personal items for patients and to pick up laundry etc. 

“The service will be available from Wednesday 5 January 2022, and thereafter Monday – Friday as follows:

  1. Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (main atrium) – items should also be dropped off here for patients in the INS – available between 12pm – 4pm
  2. Glasgow Royal Infirmary (medical block entrance) – available between 12pm – 5pm
  3. Royal Alexandra Hospital (main hospital foyer) – available between 12pm – 5pm
  4. Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre (main entrance), available between 8.30am – 3.30pm, and
  5. Local arrangements will be in operation in all other sites.  

 “Please speak to ward staff who will advise of local arrangements for dropping off and collecting belongings.  

“Further information can be found on the Give and Go Webpage.

“It should be noted Current visiting arrangements will remain in place until Tuesday 4 January 2022. These are as follows:

  • Patients in shared accommodation such as nightingale type wards and 4 and 6 bedded bays will be able to have essential visits only 
  • Patients in single room accommodation will be able to benefit from the support of one visitor. This visitor can change each day.   
  • Two visitors per day is recommended for patients in paediatrics, neonates and maternity wards.  
  • Mental Health, Addictions and Learning Disabilities staff will make a visiting plan with each patient based on their individual needs and circumstance, and the local risks that present in each ward. 
  • In line with infection prevention and control practice, wards with current active infection cases are required to temporarily restrict visiting to essential visits only 
  • As always, there may be some individual patients who are particularly vulnerable to the risks of infection. For these patients, visiting will remain at essential visits only. 

“We would like to thank our patients and their loved ones in advance for their patience and support during this incredibly difficult and challenging time.”

Additional information can be found on the NHSGGC Visiting Webpages and on our social media channels.

NHS Lothian announces changes to hospital visiting policies

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. 

Designated person hospital visiting

People in hospital who do not have coronavirus (COVID-19) will be able to have a designated visitor from tomorrow, Monday 13 July.

Until now, hospital visits during the pandemic have only been permitted in limited essential circumstances. These include where a patient is reaching end-of-life, where a patient needs a birthing partner to be present or where people with mental health issues would be caused distress if they didn’t receive the benefit of a visit.

In the first phase of this three part plan, hospital visitors will need to adhere to strict public health guidance to ensure patient, staff and visitor safety, and to protect progress made in suppressing the spread of COVID-19.

All hospital visitors must:

  • arrange a time to visit in advance with ward staff
  • not visit any other patient in the hospital
  • adhere to strict hand hygiene and face covering guidance
  • maintain strict physical distancing in communal areas of hospital
  • not visit anyone in hospital if they have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19

Specific visiting arrangements may vary between health boards depending on the type of care patients are receiving, and the space available in different care settings to maintain physical distancing.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Restricting access to people in hospital has been necessary to keep patients and staff as safe as possible and it has helped us protect the capacity and resilience of NHS Scotland.

“I want to thank everyone who has followed this guidance as I know how hard it has been for patients, families and carers not to have seen their loved ones in hospital. The continued progress we are making in suppressing the virus has allowed us to safely, and in a series of phases, resume hospital visiting in line with clinical expert advice.

“There is a need to balance the risk of physical and psychological harm that the absence of visitors can cause, with the gradual reduction of COVID-19. We have worked with Health Protection Scotland to plan how we safely restore a person-centered approach to visiting in Scotland’s hospitals.

“The safety of patients, staff and visitors will continue to be our priority. I want to reassure you that we are taking these precautions so that we can safely offer the right care, at the right time, in the right place.”

Updated guidance for hospital visitors can be read online.

Essential hospital visiting is permitted for patients with COVID-19. Essential visits includes circumstances such as, but not limited to, visits at end-of-life, birthing partners, to accompany children, and to visit people with mental health issues such as dementia, learning disabilities or autism where not having a visit would cause distress.

Updates on public health advice for COVID-19 can be found on NHS Inform, and a free helpline has been set up for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice: 0800 028 2816.  If patients have any concerns they should contact 999 for emergencies or 111 for any urgent requests.

Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 should now contact the NHS to arrange to be tested – either online at NHS Inform, or by calling 0800 028 2816.

HOSPITAL VISITING SUSPENDED

NHS Lothian has announced that visiting will be suspended to limit the spread of coronavirus and to protect vulnerable patients, as well as staff. This move will come into effect from today.

Visiting will continue in specific circumstances; for example patients receiving end-of-life care, for inpatients in our children’s services and those accompanying partners during childbirth. Visiting arrangements for these groups should only take place following discussions with senior charge nurses or midwives.

Professor Alex McMahon, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Healthcare Professionals, NHS Lothian said: “Across NHS Lothian, Scotland and the UK, we are experiencing profound changes in our daily lives as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19).

“Now, more than ever, we need to work together. To our patients and their families, I would urge you to help us by respecting this difficult decision.”

Professor McMahon added: “I understand that not being able to visit family members while they are in hospital may be upsetting and I would like to assure the public that this decision has not been taken lightly.

“All across the UK, people are being urged to stay at home where they can and to limit social interactions, instead using phone and video calls to stay in touch with family and friends.

“The decision to suspend visiting may be unpopular with some patients and their families, but it has been made to help protect the safety of your loved ones and our staff.”

To stay up to date with the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) advice, visit NHS Inform: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19

A free helpline has been set up for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice.

This can be accessed by calling 0800 028 2816. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 10:00pm, Saturday and Sunday, 8:00am – 6:00pm.