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05
Nov 2020
Harrogate hospital ends routine visits to patients
Harrogate District Hospital has confirmed it will no longer allow patient visits, except in a few limited circumstances.
The restriction came into force today as part of lockdown measures.
The only exceptions are for visits to patients at end of life; instances where difficult conversations need to take place; patients with physical or cognitive impairment; long-stay patients.
A hospital statement said 'all of these exceptions will be at the discretion of the shift lead'.
Visitors must wear masks and visors, which the ward will provide.
Steve Russell, chief executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, told the Stray Ferret it had been a difficult decision that had been debated this week.
Read more:
- Harrogate Hospital reports another coronavirus death
- Harrogate hospital coping well with covid, says chief executive
The hospital has also limited the number of visitors to maternity wards to one.
Visiting slots between either 10am-12pm or 2pm-4pm will be allocated in the morning by the midwife in charge. Hospital guidance adds:
"If you are attending for an induction of labour your partner can attend with you.
"This is a decision we’ve taken reluctantly because we know how important visitors are and we know how much it means for partners to be present at key stages of pregnancy and birth.
"However, we have to play our part in reducing contacts and minimising potential spread of covid. We hope you understand why we’re doing this."
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