Isle of Wight hospital set to ease Covid visiting restrictions

Visitng restrictions at the Isle of Wight’s only hospital look set to be eased in the coming week.

Speaking at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust board meeting yesterday (March 10th), Juliet Pearce, director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professions, said significant easing of the current restrictions at St Mary’s Hospital, in Newport, will be announced next week.

Despite all remaining Covid-19 restrictions being lifted by government at the end of February, including the need to self-isolate, the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, as well as other health authorities across the country, kept infection, prevention and control measures in place.

Ms Pearce today said the visitor guidance has been reviewed following the easing of Covid restrictions across the country and looked to see how the trust would move forward now.

At the moment, the trust requires patients and visitors to wear face masks and only patients on certain wards who have been in hospital for over a week are permitted one visitor.

Ms Pearce said the reduction in restrictions would have a big impact on the way families and patients experience care and would also see a significant reduction in the number of complaints and concerns.

Concerns over restrictions and security on the front door of St Mary’s Hospital have been raised as by members of the public looking to access the emergency department or visit a loved one but were turned away.

To find out more about the current visitor restrictions at the IW NHS Trust, you can visit its website: iow.nhs.uk/Patients-and-Visitors/

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• st mary's hospital