Hospitals in North Yorkshire tighten restrictions on visitors
Now tougher rules have been introduced.
York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which runs York Hospital, Scarborough Hospital, Bridlington Hospital, Malton Hospital, The New Selby War Memorial Hospital, St Monica’s Hospital Easingwold, White Cross Rehabilitation Hospital and St Helens Rehabilitation Hospital. said: “Due to the increasing number of cases of coronavirus across the UK, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has made the decision to cancel all visiting to all its hospital sites in order to ensure the safety of patients and staff.
“There are three exemptions to the ruling which are for one parent of a sick child under 18, for the partner of a woman giving birth and end-of-life patients at the discretion of the ward sister.
“We would ask people to respect this decision and to treat our staff, who will be enforcing the visiting restrictions, with courtesy and respect.”
As of yesterday (Tuesday 24 March) the trust has have made the decision to suspend all non-urgent routine outpatient appointments for at least three months. Urgent and emergency cases and cancer appointments will be carrying on as normal.
“These are unprecedented times and we thank you for your understanding. We know many people waiting for treatment will be disappointed or worried but please do not contact the hospital as we will be contacting everyone directly affected in the coming days and weeks.
“If you do not receive a letter or a phone call from the hospital, please turn up for your scheduled appointment as normal unless you have symptoms of coronavirus, a cold, flu or norovirus in which case you should contact us to cancel your appointment by clicking here.”
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Harrogate District Hospital, said: “With immediate effect and in line with social distancing, we are suspending all inpatient visiting arrangements, with a small number of exceptions.
“Visiting is suspended until further notice except in the below exceptional circumstances, where relatives will need to contact the ward or department in advance to discuss appropriate arrangements for ONE person to visit:
- the patient is receiving end-of-life care*
- the visitor needs to be accompanied – accompanying visitors should not stay in patient, ward or communal areas*
- they are a birthing partner accompanying a woman in labour
- an adult is accompanying their child in a paediatric or neonatal department
*As agreed with the nurse in charge.
In the community, colleagues must aim for a minimal number of visits, instead using technology to facilitate remote appointments. We know that many teams are doing this already and that is much appreciated.
“For urgent outpatient appointments, please ask patients to come into the hospital on their own. If, for example, they have been driven in, then the driver and anyone else should wait in the car.”
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust runs the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and community services in Hambleton and Richmondshire, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland including The Friary Community Hospital in Richmond.
The trust said: “To protect our patients, visitors and staff patient visiting has been suspended on all our hospital sites.”
Visiting will only be permitted in the following circumstances:
- For patients who are receiving end-of-life care (one visitor per patient)
- For birthing partners in maternity units (one birthing partner per woman in labour)
- For parents or legal guardians in the children’s unit (one parent or legal guardian)
- For parents in the neonatal unit (two parents)
Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Whitby Hospital, said all visiting has been temporarily stopped to protect both staff and patients during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Chief Executive Michele Moran said: “This is not a decision that we have taken lightly and one we understand is at a difficult and worrying time for the family and friends of our patients. However, it is a step we must take in order to keep our staff members, our patients and our communities safe.
“We understand that being in an inpatient environment can be a very anxious time for both patients and their loved ones and that visits from friends and family can enhance a patient’s recovery. We will do everything possible to ensure patients are able to stay in contact with their families whose support, we know is vitally important.”
