Tag: visiting

Health Board urges people not to visit hospitals if they have symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea 

Members of the public are being urged not to visit hospitals if they are displaying symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea, or if they have been in contact with anyone who is unwell. 

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) issued the advice to those who are planning to visit loved ones in hospital. 

The health board said anyone with vomiting or diarrhoea symptoms, or anyone who has been in recent contact with someone with these symptoms, should not visit until they feel better. 

It comes amid a rise in winter related illnesses including Norovirus, Gastroenteritis, COVID-19 and flu across Scotland. 

Visitors are also reminded to practice good hygiene by ensuring they regularly wash their hands to prevent the spread of viruses. 

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea are common symptoms of these illnesses, along with headaches, fever and muscle or limb pain.  

Symptoms of Gastroenteritis 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 


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

You can protect yourself and others by staying at home if you are unwell and by cleaning hands and surfaces regularly.  


Dr Aleksandra Marek, Consultant Microbiologist and Infection Control Doctor, said: “We are asking anyone with symptoms including vomiting or diarrhoea, or anyone who has been in contact with someone who has these symptoms, not to visit our hospitals. 

“During the winter months, illnesses such as Norovirus, Gastroenteritis, COVID-19 and flu, can add to the pressures that staff face across our sites. 

“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 a site to follow infection control guidance, such as washing your hands regularly.”

NHSGGC is urging people to only attend Emergency Departments (A&E) 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 to call 999 or attend A&E. 

Scottish care home visits to resume next month

Routine indoor visiting of care home residents by relatives, friends and carers can resume from early March with care providers supporting residents to have up to two designated visitors each and one visit a week for each visitor, the Scottish Government has announced.

With a wide range of protections now in place against COVID-19 for care home residents, it is has been decided meaningful contact should be made easier for the wellbeing of residents and their loved ones.

The most recent of these protections is the COVID vaccine with more than 99.9% of older care home residents and 92% of staff now vaccinated with first dose.

Additionally, the national picture of coronavirus outbreaks in care homes is improving.  NRS data shows that deaths from coronavirus in care homes have fallen by 62% in the last three weeks and the balance is now in favour of allowing contact to resume.

Guidelines to be published on Wednesday 24 February will support care providers to resume visiting for up to two designated visitors per resident.

Every time someone goes into a care home it is a COVID  risk. But we are acutely conscious that continued restriction of contact for residents with relatives can contribute to  loneliness and isolation and worsening physical and mental health. With the range of protections in place against COVID, the bigger risk now is the continued separation of residents from loved ones.

Visitors will need to wear face coverings and any PPE requested by the care home, and are strongly encouraged to take a COVID test on-site. While visiting may sometimes still be restricted, for example in the event of an outbreak at a care home, the expectation will now be that homes will facilitate regular weekly contact as long as certain safety conditions are met. We will then work to continue to gradually increase the frequency and duration of contact.

Health Secretary Jeanne Freeman said: “The decisions regarding restrictions on visiting for care home residents have been some of the most difficult we have faced and I have the greatest sympathy for those who have been unable to see relatives and loved ones in person for so long.

“Care home staff have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to support continued contact between residents and their loved ones but these restrictions have been hugely challenging for them, as well as for care home staff and colleagues.

“We deeply regret the deaths and other harm caused by coronavirus in our care homes, but we also recognise the harm caused to the wellbeing of residents and families as a result of an inability to see those they love.

“We must remain vigilant about the risks but with multiple layers of protection now in place the balance is in favour of allowing visits.  Everyone, including visitors, has a responsibility to ensure that visits take place as safely as possible by continuing to follow safety advice.

“The additional protection in place includes infection prevention and control measures (IPC); personal protective equipment (PPE) in care homes and testing of staff and visiting professionals to care homes, which have developed processes and protocols for safer indoor visiting to take place.

“The guidance we are publishing sets out an expectation that providers will put in place arrangements to enable regular visits to resume from early March and from the discussions I have had with providers, I now expect all care homes to have embraced this guidance by mid-March.”

Cathie Russell of Care Home Relatives Scotland said: “We look forward to working with care home providers, public health and oversight teams to ensure that the new guidance allows residents to enjoy meaningful contact with their closest relatives and friends once more.

“It has been a very difficult year. The deepest ties of love are important and we can never thrive without them.”

Donald MacAskill, chief executive of Scottish Care, said: “The COVID pandemic has presented frontline care home staff and managers with many challenges but undoubtedly the hardest has been keeping residents apart from family and friends. 

“We have now reached a very different place and with a range of COVID-19 protections in place, including vaccination and testing, combined with the use of PPE and IPC, we are at a stage where we can re-introduce safer indoor visiting to Scotland’s care homes. This day has been long-awaited and we understand that it will be an emotional time for many. 

“Scottish Care is committed to supporting staff and managers, residents and family, to make sure that these guidelines succeed in their aim of reconnecting individuals.

“We commit to working together to overcome any challenges and difficulties we might face and to support those who may still be anxious and fearful, so that together we can ensure that a painful period of separation can be replaced by greater togetherness.” 

Gabe Docherty, on behalf of Scottish Directors of Public Health, said: “There’s not been a day when these very human considerations haven’t weighed on the minds of my colleagues and I as we’ve endeavoured to safely negotiate all the challenges COVID has presented.

“It is always been the focus of Directors of Public Health to reinstate visiting as soon as there was evidence that the risks of doing so were greatly reduced. So I warmly welcome and wholeheartedly endorse the approach – and all that it means for care home residents, their families and  Care Home staff.”

Councillor Stuart Currie, Health and Social Care Spokesman for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, said: “Local Government welcomes the forthcoming guidance on resuming meaningful contact for care home residents and recognises the impact that restrictions have had on residents, their families and friends and care home staff. 

“This guidance supports all parts of the system to ensure that meaningful contact is undertaken safely with a number of safety and protection measures in place.”

The Scootish annnouncement follows a statement from the UK Government earlier this morning that every care home resident in England will be allowed one regular indoor visitor from 8 March.

Remember: Essential visits only at NHS Lothian sites

NHS Lothian announced last week that visiting across sites will be suspended unless for essential visits only. The decision is designed to help protect patients and staff by limiting the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)

Fiona Ireland, Deputy Director of Nursing, NHS Lothian said: “Across Lothian, Scotland and the UK, we are seeing rising levels of COVID-19 within the community.

“We have taken the difficult decision to suspend visiting across our sites to help minimise the risk of transmission, to protect patients, our staff and the wider community, and to manage the increasing pressure on our acute and community sites.”

Where possible, ward staff have been contacting relatives, who had previously been identified as designated visitors, to advise them of the new arrangements and to provide more information.

Under the current guidance, some essential visits are still permitted; for example patients receiving end-of-life care, for patients with mental health issues including dementia, 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.

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

“With higher levels of COVID-19 cases within the community, there is an increased risk that visitors could inadvertently bring COVID-19 into our hospital sites, especially if they are not showing any symptoms.

“This decision will help manage the increasing risks of COVID-19 transmission and protect the safety of your loved ones, our staff and the wider community. I would urge our patients and families to help us by respecting this difficult decision.”

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

NHS Lothian understands that the public may have questions in relation to this decision, so have prepared some FAQs:

Why can’t I visit?

Cases of COVID-19 within the community have been rising. With more people potentially exposed to the virus, there is a real risk that visitors to our sites may be infectious, but not displaying any symptoms.

By suspending visiting, we hope to limit the spread of COVID-19 and in doing so help to protect those individuals, including your loved ones, who may be more at risk.

What is classified as an essential visit?

As per the Scottish Government guidance, essential visits include the following –

  • For patients receiving end of life care
  • For patients with mental health issues including dementia
  • For patients with learning disabilities
  • For patients with autism
  • For birthing partners
  • For children

    Can I get personal items like clothes, nightclothes, toiletries to my loved one?

    If you are in hospital, we understand how important it is to have personal items such as clothes and your own toiletries. If relatives need to bring personal items to their loved ones, they can still do this, but are expected to leave the items with the ward staff and not enter the ward.

    If I want to give my loved one a phone or an iPad to communicate with me can I hand this in?

    Yes, but like handing in clothes or toiletries you will be expected to leave the items with the ward staff and not enter the ward.

    What if my child is in an adult ward, can I visit them?

    If your child (up to the age of 18) happens to be in an adult ward, the nurse in charge will be able to advise when to visit and any constraints that may be placed around the visit. We would remind families, that if they have any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) such as a high temperature and/or a new persistent cough, they should remain at home. Similarly if you have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) you should remain at home for the required isolation period, which is currently 14 days.

    My partner is due to give birth, will I still be able to attend? 

    At present, birth partners are permitted to attend, however we ask that this is limited to just one person. The midwife in charge will be able to advise. We would remind birth partners, that if they have any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), such as a high temperature and/or a new persistent cough, they should remain at home. 

    Similarly if you have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) you should remain at home for the required isolation period, which is currently 14 days

Care home visiting restrictions eased

Care home residents and their family and friends will soon be able to enjoy longer visits together and greater personal interaction, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has announced.

Updated guidance published by the Scottish Government (below) recommends easing restrictions on visiting in a range of ways, including extending indoor visits from 30 minutes to up to four hours.

Outdoor visits can be extended to include up to six visitors from no more than two households, including children and young people, for up to one hour per visit.

The new guidance also supports increased personal interaction, including hugs or hand holding, as long as strict PPE and infection prevention control measures are met.

These include:

  • personal interaction – visitors can support personal care and daily routine activities, provided this is agreed with the care home and takes place in residents’ rooms
  • touch – enabling contact with loved ones with regular training and supervision for visitors to put on and take off PPE and safety guidelines
  • family pets and therapy animals – during outdoor and indoor visiting, if agreed with the care home, and certain pre-conditions are met
  • gifts and residents’ belongings – can be brought in by visitors, when agreed with the care home manager in advance

These changes will require careful planning by care homes so will be implemented once care homes are satisfied that they can be accommodated safely, alongside existing safety measures such as the weekly testing offered to all care home staff, and sample testing in homes with no cases.

Local PPE Hubs are also in place across Scotland through Health and Social Care Partnerships to support the social care sector with PPE supplies for staff and visitors, in addition to care homes’ existing supply routes.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “We know how difficult visiting restrictions have been, and it is only natural after six months of lockdown restrictions, that care home residents and their loved ones will want to see and interact with each other as much as possible.

“The Scottish Government has been actively working with Scottish Care and other care home stakeholders on a staged approach to re-introduce visiting in care homes in as safe a way as possible, while COVID-19 remains in Scotland.

“This latest guidance has been developed with input from family members, carers, and clinicians to offer greater flexibility in visiting arrangements, and indoor visiting in particular, as winter approaches. We will continue to actively consider how we can best support visiting in care homes, and protect those who are at most risk from this virus.”

Age Scotland has warmly welcomed the changes to care home visits that will allow families to spend more time in an indoor setting with their loved ones.

Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: “This has been a long time coming but it will nonetheless be a huge boost for care home residents and their families, who have really struggled with the lack of contact since March.

“Family members can at long last visit their loved ones in care homes for up to four hours, indoors and, where it safe to do so, hold their hand for the first time in almost seven months. The importance and benefits of this cannot be underestimated.

“This is something that care home residents and their families have rightly been crying out for as they grew increasingly concerned about the negative impact it was having on their health and well-being. Their wait has been excruciating.

“We have heard from many families who have been seriously alarmed by the decline in the health of their loved one during lockdown, in part because of enforced isolation to avoid the spread of coronavirus. We have been making the case to the Scottish Government that every effort must be made to resume indoor visiting as the ongoing risk to the person’s health by not doing so is substantial.

“It is essential that increased visits to care homes are now available to everyone wherever possible. With PPE and other protective measures in place, older people in care homes will be able to reconnect with their relatives and feel part of their family again.”

Coronavirus (COVID-19): adult care homes visiting guidance.

We Scots are such a sociable bunch: UK’s most friendly places revealed

People living in Scotland are among the most sociable in the UK, according to a recent poll

A survey of 2,000 people in the UK carried out on behalf of National Express Coach, asked how often respondents visited friends and family living in another city or region, whether they wanted to visit them less or more and what was stopping them making the journey. Continue reading We Scots are such a sociable bunch: UK’s most friendly places revealed