Due to the rising levels of Covid-19 in Preston and within NHS hospitals, Royal Preston Hospital have taken the difficult decision to suspend adult inpatient visiting until further notice.

The changes came into effect yesterday (Wednesday, 16 June).

The hospital are still offering patients and relatives the opportunity to video call so they can stay in touch.

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Please note that the following exceptions apply:

Adult Inpatient Visiting – patients with additional support needs: 

• Extended visiting for up to a maximum of two nominated people from the patients bubble for patients receiving End of Life Care.
• Extended visiting to one nominated person from the patients bubble to provide carers support to patients with additional needs, including patients with a cognitive impairment / learning disability / autism / visual / auditory impairment / language barriers.

Children’s Assessment Unit and Children’s Day Case Visiting:

• One parent / guardian can be present with their child so long as they are part of the family bubble. You can read our full Children’s Assessment Unit and Children’s Day Case Visiting Guidance here.  

Children’s Ward Visiting:

• Both parents / guardians can be present with their child so long as they are part of the family bubble. You can read our full Children’s Ward Visiting Guidance  here.

Maternity Unit Visiting:

• Two birthing partners can be in attendance for labour and birth on Delivery Suite / Birth Centre.
• One named partner can provide support on the Maternity Wards at all times.
• One support partner can attend all hospital outpatient appointments and all scans.
• Maternity Unit Visiting Guidance available here.
• All pregnant women and people, including their support partners are asked to arrange their own lateral flow test 24 hours before they come to attend any early pregnancy or antenatal appointment, ultrasound scan or consultation both in the hospital and community settings. Read the full Lateral Flow update here.

Neonatal Unit Visiting:

• Both parents can be present with their child so long as they are part of the family bubble.
• Neonatal Unit Visiting Guidance available here.
• All women including their support partners are asked to arrange their own lateral flow test 24 hours before they come to attend any neonatal appointment. Read the full Lateral Flow update here.

All visitors must continue to comply with Government guidelines with regards to social distancing and hand hygiene practices.

All visitors, unless exempt, must also wear a face covering and any PPE that the clinical area recommends and demonstrate lateral flow testing on arrival to the ward/units to ensure any risks associate with not having symptoms are managed.

Lateral flow tests can be obtained free from pharmacies.

Outpatient appointments

• Patients should attend outpatient appointments alone to reduce the spread of infection.
  • When patients are unable to attend alone, for example require carers support, including patients with a cognitive impairment/ learning disability/ autism/ visual/ auditory impairment/language barriers, one person from the patients bubble may accompany the patient to the appointment.
• If patients are concerned that the outpatient appointment could potentially involve the delivery of upsetting/distressing news, for example test results or diagnosis, this can be discussed with the nursing team in the department prior to the appointment, and arrangements made for one person from the patients bubble to accompany them.
• Accompanying family members/relatives/loved ones must not attend the hospital if they meet any of the visitor exclusion criteria including; Covid-19 symptoms, are Covid positive or are required to self-isolate.
• All visitors will be asked to adhere to the Infection Control guidance displayed in the hospital. This includes observing strict 2 metre social distancing principles, the use of face masks and adhering to strict hand hygiene on entering and leaving the hospital and clinical areas.
• If visitors are unable to wear masks due to medical reasons, please consider if visiting the hospital is absolutely necessary and if so please inform the staff

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A spokesperson for the hospital said: “A small number of people are unable to wear masks due to underlying medical conditions. We ask our staff to promote good infection prevention practice and as such visitors not wearing a mask will be asked, using a polite approach, why this is.

“Please do not be offended if you are asked on more than one occasion, the staff are aiming to prevent the spread of infection.

“Thank you for your continued support and understanding at this challenging time.

“We will review these arrangements on a regular basis and in the context of the environment we are providing care in.”

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Do you think Royal Preston Hospital have made the right decision? Let us know in the comments below.