March 23, 2020 9.36 am This story is over 49 months old

Visiting suspended at Lincolnshire hospitals

All visiting suspended
Lincoln County Hospital. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Visiting has been suspended at all wards across Lincoln County Hospital, Pilgrim Hospital in Boston and Grantham and District Hospital.

The measure, introduced with immediate effect by United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, has been put in place to protect staff and patients from the spread of coronavirus.

The only exceptions to the above are:

  • The maternity department will allow one birthing partner to attend
  • Parents who do not show the symptoms of infection can visit their children

All hospitals and cafes have also been closed as of Monday, March 23.

The trust responsible for hospital care in the county previously confirmed it was treating patients with confirmed COVID-19 cases, but did not specify the specific locations of patients.

ULHT said in a statement: “Any other visits are by exception only and typically will be granted on compassionate grounds agreed in advance with the nurse in charge of the ward.

“If granted, the majority of these visits will be taking place between 6pm and 7pm. No visitors under 16 will be allowed.

“The trust is working on ways for families to use Skype or FaceTime to talk to their relatives and as soon as these arrangements are in place, we will update further.

“Please also note that anyone attending the Emergency Department or for an outpatient appointment is expected to attend alone. Please only bring a maximum of one other person if assistance is required.

“We can appreciate this may be frustrating for the family and friends of patients, but we can assure that it is required at this time. As per usual practice, the ward staff will contact families if the person becomes seriously ill.”

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