Visitor restrictions still in place at QEH
The King's Lynn hospital is asking us to stick to them
A number of visiting restrictions at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn (QEH) are to remain in place in order to keep patients, their families and staff safe.
Under current rules, each inpatient is allowed one nominated visitor, who can visit for one hour per day. Patients must also attend alone to outpatient appointments and the Trust’s Emergency Department and Acute Assessment areas.
Exceptions apply to visitors accompanying a child or vulnerable patient with learning disabilities, autism or dementia, and patients who are critically ill or receiving end-of-life care.
Visiting slots can be booked directly via the ward which can be contacted through the Trust’s Switchboard on 01553 613613 on weekdays between 10.00am and midday. Slots are available throughout the day, seven days a week.
Restrictions also remain in place for maternity appointments, allowing for one person to attend growth scans with their pregnant partner, Day Assessment Unit or clinic appointments, during labour and birth, the Antenatal Ward if they are admitted, and the Postnatal Ward. The Trust will continue to make reasonable adjustments for those with additional needs.
Visitors are expected to wash or sanitise their hands on arrival at the hospital and ward; and must always wear a face covering, including when entering and moving through the hospital. If visiting a high-risk area, or a patient with suspected or known COVID-19, visitors will be asked to wear a surgical facemask. In addition, visitors are expected to cover any cuts on their hands, follow social distancing rules, and will be asked to provide their details for NHS Test and Trace.
Visitors are also asked not to consume food or drink during their visits, so that masks can be worn at all times.
In line with Government guidelines, visitors who have tested positive or are showing any symptoms of COVID-19, should not visit, to ensure everyone’s safety.
The Trust supports compassionate care, and in cases where patients are receiving end-of-life care, the hospital may facilitate additional visits under special arrangements. This is agreed on a case-by-case basis with patients and relatives.
Where relatives are unable to visit in-person, the Trust continues to facilitate virtual visits, including via phone, video calls, and messages.
Alice Webster, Chief Nurse at QEH, said:
“We’re doing all we can to ensure that patients spend time with their loved ones and we know how important visits are for our patients’ physical and emotional recovery. We were pleased to have been able to reintroduce limited visiting in April 2021 and this is under constant review with the safety of our patients, their families and Team QEH our top priority. We are appealing to visitors to please arrive at the time booked for their visit and no earlier or later, so that we can continue to safely facilitate visits in the fairest way for all our patients.”