Devon hospitals take ‘tough decision’ to tighten rules for visitors

Devon hospitals have agreed to make a tough decision to limit the number of visitors and further tighten rules for any visitors who are visiting loved ones during the pandemic. 

In an attempt to reduce the further spreading of the covid-19 virus, hospitals will have stricter rules but still allow visitors for those patients under the age of 18, suffering from dementia or receiving end-of-life treatment.

An NHS spokesperson said: "We appreciate how hard separation can be for families and patients and we have a number of measures in place to ensure contact is maintained.

"These include regular contact from staff to a designated family member, the use of iPads for 'virtual visiting' and our patient experience team can receive and pass on letters, drawings and cards from loved ones to patients."

Information from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital NHS Foundation Trust highlights the following rules for visitors:

• if there are specific reasons of safety – dementia or learning disability where anxiety would be increased significantly
• inpatients under the age of 18 years old – one parent/guardian only (both parents are permitted in the special care baby unit)
• at outpatient and diagnostic appointments where a patient may need emotional support, they can be accompanied by one person from the same household or support bubble
• a patient receiving end-of-life care can receive more than one visitor from the same household or support bubble within a 24 hour period

The same restrictions are still in place for anyone visiting the maternity ward that have been in place since 29th September 2020. This includes allowing only one spouse, partner or close family member during the hours of 9am to 5pm. Outside of these hours, hospital staff will be in contact with the partner and invite them to attend if the patient is in pain or distressed.

For any visitors, they are still required to bring any toiletries or accessories in a labelled and see through bag.

For hospitals, they need to maintain the regular cleaning of facilities, with strict rotas and the increased availability of hand sanitisers, hand washing stations and provision of masks and gloves for any staff members, patients and visitors. 

It is assumed that anyone who has been in contact with the covid-19 virus should isolate for a period of 2 weeks, whether they have shown any symptoms or share a household with anyone who has.