Relaxing inpatient visiting restrictions - CDDFT
In line with County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust's ongoing risk assessments, visiting restrictions introduced as part of their response to COVID-19 are being further relaxed.
The following is from CDDFT:
The relaxation of current restrictions will be gradual given that while community prevalence of COVID-19 has declined, it is still in general circulation along with other respiratory infections which are on the rise. Flu infections this winter are also anticipated to be high. In addition, 20% of the adult population have developed COVID-19 in the last three months and uptake of the autumn booster and flu vaccination has been mixed.
Bearing all this in mind, representatives from each care group and our infection control team have recommended that the following will replace existing restrictions, effective from Tuesday 22 November:
- Adults: to continue with an appointment based system but increase visiting entitlement to up to two hours per day, split into two, one hour slots, with two visitors permitted per slot. Different visitors would be permitted for each slot. Visitors would still be required to pre-book using the current system.
- Paediatrics: As per current visiting rules.
- Labour wards: up to two birthing partners in attendance throughout labour.
- Antenatal and post-natal in-patients:
- one partner from 10.00am until 8.00pm,
- family time: 2.00pm-4.00pm and 6.00pm-8.00pm. In addition to a partner, during these times an additional two visitors (one of whom can be a sibling) – with a maximum of three persons per bed during this time.
- Neonates: Two visitors per baby at one time (One parent and one other family member). The second visitor can swap and change.
- We are grateful to you for the care and compassion you show to patients receiving End of Life care and their families. Please continue to manage these situations on a case by case basis with the nurse in charge using discretion to negotiate visiting patterns, balancing compassion with the infection control risk.
- Please ensure ‘Ask to Mask’ posters are displayed prominently so patients and families know they can ask those caring for them to wear masks.
