March 18, 2020 12.04 pm This story is over 58 months old

New temporary visiting rules at Lincolnshire hospitals

New stringent restrictions on hospital visits

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust has temporarily changed its visiting arrangements to respond to coronavirus and protect patients, staff and visitors.

Visiting hours have been limited to one hour each evening and will be for immediate family members and carers only.

People have been asked to consider other ways of keeping in touch with patients, such as phone calls.

From 12pm on Wednesday, March 18, visiting will be restricted to between 6pm and 7pm.

You should not visit any of our hospital settings if you are:

  • Feeling unwell, including with cold or flu symptoms
  • Vulnerable yourself due to medication, a chronic underlying illness or are over 70 years of age
  • Under 12 years of age without the ward sister or charge nurse’s permission
  • Visitors will be limited to one per patient unless the patient is receiving end of life care or the visitor needs to be accompanied (accompanying visitors should not stay in the ward or communal areas but wait elsewhere until the visit is ended)

Some exceptions will be made in some areas. For example in maternity and paediatric services, ULHT added.

Visiting will be limited to only essential visitors. Examples of essential visitors are:

  • Paediatrics – maximum two parents/carers
  • Neonatal Unit – parents only
  • Maternity – restricted to birthing partners only
  • Emergency Department – restricted to one person if needed to provide support
  • Those who are unable to make decisions for themselves, in line with the Mental Capacity Act, may be accompanied by the person most significant to them

A Family Liaison Team will be set up shortly within our Chaplaincy and Volunteer Teams who will be able to help get non-urgent messages to relatives.

A ULHT spokesperson said: “As part of our preparedness for Coronavirus and following national guidance, we are undertaking a full review of our outpatient services. This will include the possible use of telephone and video consultation appointments where appropriate and we will be contacting suitable patients with clear guidance on what to do.

“Some patients will still need to attend their appointment in person due to the nature of their condition and the care and treatment they may need. If you do need to attend a face to face appointment we ask you come alone where possible, or if you need assistance please only come with a maximum of one other person.

“Please do not visit any of our hospitals if you have symptoms associated with Coronavirus. Instead you should stay at home for at least 7 days if you have either:

  • a high temperature
    And/or
  • a new continuous cough

The trust confirmed on March 17 that a patient who had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus was being treated in a Lincolnshire hospital.

They did not clarify the specific hospital the patient was being treated in.

Follow our liveblog for the latest information about coronavirus in Lincolnshire.