Patient visiting is being reintroduced at Lincoln, Boston and Grantham hospitals from Friday (April 29) with an updated risk-based approach.
The inpatient areas at the hospitals run by United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) are currently given a classification of low, medium and high risk, reflecting patient conditions and infection prevention and control measures.
For each level, different visiting arrangements will be in place. This will be determined at individual patient level, depending upon their risk rating and the risk level of the areas they are residing in.
All visitors will need to call the relevant ward to book a visit in advance and are asked to come to the main hospital entrance no more than 10 minutes before the start of their visiting session.
Everyone will be asked to wear a hospital-provided face mask throughout their visit, but visitors are no longer required to show proof of a negative lateral flow test.
People coming in to visit a loved one will also be asked to complete a quick questionnaire to check they do not have any of the recognised symptoms of COVID-19. Any visitors with symptoms will be advised not to attend.
The full details of the visiting arrangements by level are as followed:
Hospital visiting arrangements by level. | Photo: ULHT
There may be local rules in place in individual areas, depending upon the environment, and patients and visitors are asked to speak to the ward directly for information.
Exceptions remain in place for maternity, paediatrics and neonatal services are as follows:
Maternity
• The maternity department will allow one birthing partner to attend the birth and a partner to visit women and their baby either antenatal or postnatal
• Visiting hours on maternity wards is 1pm-7pm
• Children are still not able to attend the hospitals to visit patients at this time
• Partners can attend all hospital maternity appointments
• Women and partners are encouraged to perform lateral flow tests prior to appointments.
Paediatrics and neonatal services
• Parents who do not show the symptoms of infection can visit their children on children’s wards and neonatal units
• Parents with a baby in neonatal care have access 24 hours a day. This includes overnight stays where accommodation allows
• Any exceptions will be made on a case by case basis.
Compassionate grounds
• Visiting end of life patients
• Supporting carers
• Other exceptional circumstances (such as for patients with dementia, learning disabilities, autism, and mental health).
Dr Karen Dunderdale, director of nursing at ULHT, said: “We understand how valuable visiting is to our patients and their loved ones and have worked incredibly hard to make this possible in a way that is as safe as can be for our patients, their visitors and our staff.
“The process is straight forward. Please call the ward your loved one is on, an appointment will be made for you if it is safe to do so, then on the day of your appointment please arrive 10 minutes early to the hospital’s main entrance.
“All of our staff are really pleased to be able to do this for our patients and their loved ones as we appreciate how important this is to them. This process will be explained to visitors when they are making their booking with the ward.”
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
The final in the latest series of road closures for works on the A1, as part of the Grantham Southern Relief Road project, has been temporarily postponed
A weekend northbound A1 closure was due to be in place between 8pm on Friday, May 20 and 6am on Monday, May 23.
However, Lincolnshire County Council said the closure has been temporarily postponed and once new dates have been confirmed they will be shared.
Works on phase three began in April this year, with the council anticipating that winter 2023 will be the completion date for the relief road.
This will be with the view to reduce congestion and carbon emissions, and provide opportunities for growth in the local economy.
The £102 million Grantham Southern Relief Road project has been led by Lincolnshire County Council, supported by South Kesteven District Council, Highways England, Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Network Rail, Homes England, the Department for Transport and local business contributions.
Safety improvements have been carried out at corner where numerous accidents have occurred in East Keal.
The council is looking into what else can be done to prevent motorists from coming off the road at Hall Corner, while police are looking into the possibility of fitting a speed camera.
A cement lorry recently overturned on the corner in February.
Lincolnshire County Council has found a slight dip in the road where Blacksmith Lane meets the A16 could be the reason why heavy vehicles travelling at excessive speed are tipping over.
It is considering whether to smooth out and realign the road, but says it is concious of the impact that closing the A16 would have on traffic and local businesses.
Several safety improvement measures have already been put in place, including ‘slow’ markings, enhanced bend warning signs and improved chevrons.
Problems have been found with the road surface on the corner. | Photo: Google Street View
Lincolnshire Police are assessing whether a speed camera on the corner would be beneficial, and will be taking speed readings in the coming weeks.
Larger barriers and longer safety fencing have been proposed by the public. However, the county council says that in order for it to be big enough to withstand the impact of overturned vehicles, the cost can’t be justified.
Either the local parish council or the country council could also explore whether to fund a reactive speed sign on the location.
Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “We are very thankful to the residents and members of the parish council who have given us their ideas and support in what can be done at Hall Corner. Local knowledge and personal feedback are cornerstones of what we do in terms of delivering the best solutions in the most informed way.
“There has already been much done at this bend to try and mitigate the issues faced and we now have more planned for this particular area that will go on to encourage all road users to drive accordingly in line with the road and conditions.
“I would like to thank everyone involved so far for their input. We will all work together to get the best resolution we can for Hall Corner.”
Whatsapp
