Visiting restrictions brought back to Lancashire Teaching Hospitals
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals have suspended adults inpatient visiting due to a rise in Covid-19 cases in both the community and hospitals.
It covers the Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, Royal Preston Hospital and the Specialist Mobility and Rehabilitation Centre.
It means that people staying in hospital won't be able to see their friends and family in person while the restrictions are in place.
They'll be offered the option of services like Facetime or speaking to their loved ones over the phone instead.
Anyone going to the hospital, whether a patient or visitor, must socially distance and follow hand hygiene practices.
Everyone must wear a face covering unless exempt and any PPE that the clinical area asks you to wear.
Any potential visitors to the hospital have symptoms of Covid-19, have tested positive for Covid or are required to self-isolate should not attend the hospital.
There are some exceptions to the visitor restrictions.
Patients with additional support needs
Visiting will be extended to a maximum of two people from the patients bubble for those receiving end of life care.
Patients with additional needs such as a cognitive impairment, learning disability, autism, visual or auditory impairment or language barriers will be able to be visited by one nominated person from their bubble to provide carers support.
Children
One parent or guardian can accompany their child to an assessment or day case as long as they are part of the family bubble.
If a child is on a ward, both parents/guardians can be with the child as long as they are part of the family bubble.
Maternity Unit
Women in labour can have two birthing partners there for the duration of the labour and birth on the delivery suite or birth centre.
One named partner can be there for support on the Maternity Ward at all times whether in labour or not.
One support partner can also accompany the mother to all hospital outpatient appointments and scans.
Before you or your support attend any appointments, scans or consultations, you're being asked to arrange your own lateral flow test 24 hours beforehand.
Neonatal Unit
Both parents can be present with their child as long as they are part of the family bubble.
All women and their support partners are asked to take a lateral flow test 24 hours before going to any neonatal appointment.
What about if I have an outpatient appointment?
You're being asked to attend all outpatient appointments alone unless you require support from a carer ie. for patients with a cognitive impairment, learning disability, autism, visual or auditory impairment or language barriers - in this case one person from the patient's bubble may accompany the patient to the appointment.
If there's the possibility that the appointment may include distressing or upsetting news, you can have a chat to the nursing team before the appointment. One person from the patient's bubble may be able to attend too.
In a statement online, the NHS Foundation Trust said that it's a "difficult decision" and that they "will review these arrangements on a regular basis and in the context of the environment we are providing care in".