Coronavirus guidance for visitors – updated 10 August 2020
The Trust’s visiting restrictions have been updated to the following:
Before you visit:
- Handwashing: When visiting someone in hospital, please clean your hands using soap and water. Sinks are available at all entrances to our hospitals and most wards, to enable you to do this. Where there is not a sink, you should be able to use alcohol hand rub instead.
- Illnesses: If you have a cough, cold, diarrhoea, vomiting or a temperature, you could have an infection and may risk passing this on to our patients. Please do not visit the hospital if you have these symptoms.
- Face covering: Following the Government’s announcement on Friday (5 June), we are asking all visitors to the Trust to wear an appropriate face covering
Visiting guidance:
Patients on Covid-19 Wards
For wards which may have a number of patients who are Covid-19 positive, (these are also known as Yellow Wards), increased precautions should be undertaken if patients are having aerosol generating procedures (this includes things such as intubation).
As a phased approach, and taking into account the need for compassionate visiting, a maximum of 15 minutes per patient for a designated family member will be allowed, with the permission of the Registered Nurse or Consultant in charge. This will be by appointment and after the visitor has confirmed they have read the visitor information and are safe to visit.
Further guidance on what to expect when visiting a patient who is Covid-19 positive can be found here.
Patients on Non-Covid-19 Wards
Patients in areas with no, or few, cases of Covid-19 (known as Blue Wards) can have a visitor, by appointment and with agreement of the Registered Nurse or Consultant in charge, for up to an hour a day. Visitors will be asked to confirm they have read the visitor information and are safe to visit.
Patients having elective surgery
Patients having planned elective surgery will have to self-isolate for two weeks prior to surgery. This is to reduce the risk of acquiring Covid-19 during the peri-operative period. Visitors are asked to use electronic means of keeping in touch until the patient is discharged home.
Patients on Critical Care (Intensive Treatment Unit and Department of Critical Care)
Patients on Critical Care are allowed visitors at the discretion of the Registered Nurse or Consultant in charge.
Patients on our Acute Medical Unit (AMU) and Assessment and Treatment Centre (ATC)
As patients are often moved to and from these areas as per the requirements of their care, we cannot support visitors by appointment other than those with learning disabilities, living dementia, or receiving end of life care.
In exceptional circumstances which do not meet the above, we ask that individuals contact the service and permission is at the Nurse-in-charge’s discretion.
Patients attending the Emergency Department
One named person may accompany, only in urgent circumstances.
Patients at End of Life
Patients who are end of life will be allowed open visiting. This means that one or a maximum of two visitors can stay with the patient and/or visit at any time that is suitable and convenient to them. This can be different family members.
Patients with a Learning Disability
Each patient will be assessed individually and visiting discussed with their immediate family. Visiting will be allowed on an individual basis depending on the patient’s needs.
Patients with Dementia and Delirium
Each patient will be assessed individually and visiting discussed with immediate family. Visiting will be allowed on an individual basis, dependent on the patient’s needs.
Maternity Services
We are closely following national guidance for maternity and have always allowed one birth partner to be with the woman when in labour. Please discuss with your midwife if you have additional needs that mean we need to address your wishes.
We are now able to allow visiting for one person who lives in the same household as mother and baby, for one hour, at a designated time each day.
Children’s services
In terms of children’s wards (including Observation Unit), both parents are allowed to visit, although siblings are restricted for the time being. We acknowledge that this may give some parents difficulties if they do not have alternative child care. In these circumstances, then parents will need to visit separately at different times.
Neonatal services: The primary and secondary carer for the child and neonate are able to visit as long as they take it in turns. The visitors will need to confirm they have read the visitor information and are safe to visit.
Antenatal Services
Please note, we are asking mothers to come alone to their antenatal appointments. An exception to this is that we are currently allowing partners to accompany for 18 to 21 week anomaly scans. We are reviewing these restrictions regularly and will communicate any further easing of these guidelines.
For further information and guidance, please follow our Doncaster and Bassetlaw Maternity Services Facebook page here.
Outpatients
In order to comply with social distancing guidance, wherever possible we are asking outpatient appointments be attended alone, with some exemptions.
If there are mitigating circumstances – such as access issues, appointments that effect your sight or mobility, or other factors you may – you may be exempt from this rule. If you’re unsure, call ahead of your appointment to check.
Virtual visiting:
As a Trust, we have introduced ‘Virtual visiting’ using a simple video conference app called Starleaf, which is very similar to Facetime or Skype. It is easy to use, it is secure and it is free.
You just need to have access to a either a smart phone, ipad, tablet or PC (with sound and camera).
If you are interested in using virtual visiting, please contact the appropriate ward where your relative is and the staff there will try and arrange this for you.
The ward will need your email address and a time to schedule the virtual visit. Alternatively, you can email dbth.butterflyvolunteer@nhs.net, who will support you with this.