As of 1 July, the following restrictions are in place across the Trusts three main hospital sites in Bassetlaw, Doncaster and Mexborough:
- Adult inpatients– One named visitor per person for one hour a day. Visitors must have their temperature taken and they must complete the screening questions on arrival. There will be a booking system so that there is only one person per bay visiting at any one time and a record of visitors will be kept for test and trace purposes.
- End of Life Care– Open visiting is still available for patients receiving End of Life care – However, all visitors will need to follow the screening process above. Please call ahead and the team will endeavour to facilitate larger families.
- Learning disabilities, complex needs and those with dementia – Two named visitors are permitted but at different times (only one visitor at a time). However, these visitors are not restricted to one hour.
- Elective surgery and procedures– All visiting must be conducted virtually (via a phone, tablet or laptop), and is only permitted on compassionate grounds. If unsure, call the service you wish to visit.
- Paediatric care– No change, for full guidance please visit dbth.nhs.uk
- Maternity services– No change, for full guidance please dbth.nhs.uk
- Outpatients– For those attending for an appointment, one individual may accompany, however please note that they may be asked to leave if social distancing becomes a problem. If unsure, please call ahead.
- Emergency Department (A&E)– No visitors are permitted in ED apart from in exceptional circumstances. Please discuss with Nurse in charge for adult patients if they fall into the category above (EOL and Learning disabilities/complex needs)
Colleagues ask that those wishing to visit call ahead of time to book their time slot.
An exception to this updated guidance applies to those patients who are undergoing an elective surgery and procedure, where individuals are still encourage to maintain contact virtually. Concessions will be permitted on compassionate grounds, and anyone unsure is encouraged to call ahead.
David Purdue, Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive, said: “Over the last 10 days or so, we have seen an increase in cases of COVID in the Doncaster community. As a result of this, and to minimise as much as we can the risk of COVID coming into our hospitals, we are reintroducing some visiting restrictions in certain areas of the Trust.
“We ask that individuals read the guidance carefully and we will continue to review our position on a regular basis. I want to also stress the importance that anyone coming to our sites must wear an appropriate face covering, wash their hands regularly and please do not attend, under any circumstances, if you have a cough, cold, diarrhoea, vomiting or a temperature.”
All current visiting restrictions, as well as contact details, can be viewed on the Trust’s website on www.dbth.nhs.uk
