Coronavirus – hospital visiting is reintroduced this week

Patients in hospitals in NHS Lothian can now see a patient in hospital for the first time since lockdown, as visiting is being carefully re-introduced this week.

The move to Stage 2 means that patients in hospital wards with no Covid-19 outbreaks will be able to spend time with one designated visitor.

Professor Alex McMahon, Director of Nursing, NHS Lothian, agrees that separation for some families and friends has been difficult during the challenging times and thanked patients and relatives for their understanding and patience.

He said: “The staff on our wards have worked hard during this pandemic to ensure that as much communication and contact with patients and relatives could be maintained. 

“They, like the rest of our society, recognise that there is nothing more special than to physically see your loved one in person. 

“We still need to be really careful and we have some new guidelines in place which will be absolutely vital to minimise the risk of infection, but I know relatives and friends will support us and work with us.

“We would like to ask everyone to continue to observe all current COVID-19 guidance and it is absolutely critical that you do not visit if you have Covid-19 symptoms or are self-isolating.”

As part of the new national guidance, released by Scottish Government, one visitor can be assigned to each patient, and this will be in addition to the essential visitors already permitted in certain circumstances. 

This includes patients receiving end-of-life care, for inpatients in our children’s services, for those accompanying partners during childbirth and for patients with mental health issues including dementia, learning disabilities and autism.

Visitors will be asked to adhere to the following guidance:

• Arrange visits in advance
• Wear face coverings as well as any PPE that the area requires 
• Maintain physical distancing where possible 
• Adhere to hand hygiene guidance 
• Restrict movement to other parts of the hospital unless in certain circumstances, such as a birth partner accompanying the patient to attend a scan.

Areas where there is a Covid-19 outbreak or areas with Covid-19 positive patients will remain at Stage 1 restrictions, with essential visitors only.

[su_spoiler class=”my-custom-spoiler” title=”Friday 10 July 2020″]Mandatory face coverings in shops
OUTDOORS a household can meet up to 4 other households at a time up to 15 people in total
INDOORS a household can meet up to 2 other households at a time – up to 8 people in total. This includes overnight stays. A house can meet up to 4 other households per day in total.
The limit on the number of other households you can meet per day (indoors or outdoors) does not apply to young people who are under 18.
Children aged 11 or under no longer need to physically distance indoors.
Young people aged 12-17 must continue to physically distance.
Extended Households: All non cohabiting partners (and any children under 18 in the household) can form extended households without physical distancing.[/su_spoiler] [su_spoiler class=”my-custom-spoiler” title=”Monday 13 July 2020″]Non-essential shops inside shopping centres can re-open (following guidance and with physical distancing).
All dental practices may begin to see registered patients for non-aerosol routine care.
Urgent care centres will continue to provide aerosol generating procedures.
Organised outdoor contact sports, play and physical activity can resume for children and young people under 18 (subject to guidance).
Face-to-face youth work can resume outdoors (following relevant guidance).[/su_spoiler] [su_spoiler class=”my-custom-spoiler” title=”Wednesday 15 July 2020″]Places of worship can re-open for congregational services, communal prayer and contemplation with physical distancing and limited numbers.
Museums, galleries, monuments, libraries, various other visitor attractions, cinemas (including drive-ins and venues screening films) – with physical distancing and other measures (e.g. ticketing in advance).
Hairdressers and barbers can re-open – with enhanced hygiene measures. All childcare providers can open subject to individual provider arrangements.
Indoor hospitality can reopen (subject to physical distancing rules and guidance).
All holiday accommodation permitted (following relevant guidance).
Easing of restrictions on attendance at funerals, marriage ceremonies and civil partnership registrations with physical distancing (limited numbers).
Associated receptions are subject to restrictions on hospitality and household meetings.[/su_spoiler] [su_spoiler class=”my-custom-spoiler” title=”Wednesday 22 July 2020″]Universities and colleges – Phased return to on campus learning as part of a blended model with remote teaching.
Public health measures (including physical distancing) in place.
Other personal retail services such as beauticians and tailors can re-open – with enhanced hygiene measures.
Motorcycle instruction and theory/hazard tests can resume.
Tractor driver instruction can resume.[/su_spoiler]