From Thursday 3 February, an updated risk-based approach to allowing visitors onto ward areas will be taken in all United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust hospitals (ULHT) – including Lincoln County Hospital, Pilgrim Hospital Boston and Grantham and District Hospital.
All hospital inpatient areas 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 be asked to wear a hospital-provided face mask throughout their visit.
Director of Nursing at ULHT, Dr Karen Dunderdale, 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.
“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.”
Full details of the visiting arrangements by level can be found in this graphic:
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, as detailed below:
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.
- Other exceptional circumstances (such as for patients with dementia, learning disabilities, autism, and mental health).