Hospital visiting restrictions brought in to County Durham and Darlington
Last updated 14th Jan 2022
Due to the significant increase in COVID-19 cases the County Durham and Carlington NHS Foundation Trust say they're temporarily suspend visiting to adult inpatient wards, effective immediately.
They say restricting visiting is not an easy decision, but they need to act to help protect patients and our workforce.
"We very much recognise the many benefits visitors can bring to a patient's care and wellbeing; but we must also maintain our duty of care to protect our own people and all patients by minimising the risk of the spread of infection. We know this is very difficult for loved ones. We have iPads available on our wards so patients can be visited virtually and messages and photographs can also be shared through our popular 'Stay in Touch' scheme."
There are some exceptions to visiting restrictions in place which are listed below:
• Patients receiving end of life care
• Women in labour will be able to have one birthing partner
• One parent or carer will be able to accompany children in our emergency departments, children's wards and neonatal units
• Patients with dementia, a learning disability or autism and those who require a carer
• Where visiting will support discharge or the mental wellbeing of a patient this may also be arranged at the discretion of the ward manager/nurse in charge
• Visitors
o are encouraged to be double-vaccinated and boosted where possible and
o Will be required to produce evidence of a negative lateral flow test before coming in to one of our hospitals.
The Trust say they'll continue to monitor and consider this position to look at the possible, safe reintroduction of visiting and how this would be managed.
Current restrictions will remain in place while community prevalence, hospital admissions and outbreaks remain high.
They're asking people to be kind to their colleagues when making arrangements with you, they are following our guidelines to help protect all patients.