Covid guidance at York Hospital set to continue
The NHS Trust has confirmed there will be no immediate changes.
The Covid-19 guidance at York Hospital is set to continue.
York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, has confirmed that there will be no immediate changes to the current COVID-secure arrangements in its hospitals from Monday (19th July), when restrictions are eased elsewhere.
This means all staff, patients and visitors must continue to follow guidelines, including wearing a face covering and complying with social distancing and hand hygiene guidance as before.
Heather McNair, Chief Nurse, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We have some very poorly people with us and we want to do all we can to prevent COVID spreading in our hospitals. Continuing to wear a mask is a simple but effective way to help us do that.
“While a large number of our population are now vaccinated with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, people can still contract the virus without feeling any ill effects and pass it on to others. It’s therefore really important to keep following the guidelines when attending or visiting our hospitals in order to protect those who remain vulnerable to COVID.”
Patients and visitors are reminded:
• a face covering must be worn at all times, if you are able to do so, and people must adhere to social distancing guidelines
• please wash your hands before entering and leaving the building and use the hand sanitiser outside each ward, department or area
• if you have a medical exemption for wearing a face covering, please consider whether your medical condition makes you more vulnerable to infection if visiting and consider digital consultations where possible. Ask your healthcare professional for advice if needed
• please do not visit our hospitals if you have COVID-19 symptoms, have been instructed to self-isolate or have received a positive covid-19 test
• hospital and inpatient visiting restrictions remain in place. You can find all the information you need to know by visiting our website York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - Coronavirus (yorkhospitals.nhs.uk). We would also ask visitors to help to keep our patients safe by undertaking a lateral flow test, which must give a negative result, prior to attending. Lateral flow kits are readily available from local pharmacies or by contacting NHS119.
The Trust will continue to review this decision and will respond to any future changes in national guidance or community transmission rates as necessary.
Heather added:
“These decisions are not taken lightly but staying safe never changes. We hope people will understand that this decision has been made in the best interests of our patients and staff.”