Visiting people in hospital and care homes – Winter 2022/23

 

As the sustained pressures on health and care services continue in our area and across the country, we have to try and limit the spread of viruses, such as flu and Covid-19, in hospitals, rehabilitation units, minor injury units, urgent treatment centres, clinics and care homes.

Health and care staff will do everything possible to help you visit loved ones, but we also have to protect people in these settings and help their recovery and discharge.

Patient and visitor protection:

People who are unwell and in hospital, a care home or other facility are more likely to be vulnerable to severe illness because of Covid-19, flu, and other infections such as colds, diarrhoea and vomiting.

Rates of infection in hospital are higher than usual for this time of year, as so many viruses are circulating within our communities this winter, so there is more of a risk of infection.

You can help protect your loved one, yourself, and staff, by not visiting if you have a cough, cold, diarrhoea, or vomiting, or have a temperature of higher than 37 ℃.

Different hospitals, homes and other facilities may manage visiting in different ways, and these will be explained to you by staff. If you are visiting a hospital, it is also worth checking the trust’s website, where information will be regularly updated:

You can see guidance for care home visiting on individual home websites.

Special exemptions can be made for visits, such as at end-of-life, to be facilitated if you have infection symptoms. Visit the relevant organisation’s website for guidance.

The best protection against both flu and Covid-19, for you and your community, is vaccination. Find out more about the vaccination options available at grabajab.net.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding during these difficult times.