Admissions to the hospice
Each patient will be assessed individually, testing, and visiting arrangements will be explained so this can be taken into consideration pre-admission.
Patients will be tested on admission, a lateral flow test initially followed by a PCR test at the first opportunity (PCR tests are sent Monday’s, Wednesday and Fridays).
Information for visitors. A COVID-safe environment.
The Hospice continues to review the latest guidance and practices available to ensure a COVID-safe environment for everyone.
If you are visiting a patient in the hospice please see the guidance below.
All visitors will be asked screening questions and have their temperature checked, prior to entering the hospice and when visiting your loved one we ask you to please stay in the bedroom, staff will escort you to and from the room.
An additional measure to reduce the risk of passing on the virus is testing for all visitors to the inpatient unit. Before being able to visit relatives we will ask you to have a test for COVID-19 using a Lateral Flow testing device (LFD) which produces a result within 30 minutes. We ask that lateral flow tests are carried before visiting, test kits are now widely available from most pharmacies or can be obtained on the government website. You will just need to show us your result as an email/text or a photograph of the device on arrival. If a test cannot be done at home, visitors can take a Lateral flow test at the hospice. Tests are required every 3 days if you are visiting regularly.
Visits to patients in the in-patient unit
Two or three people can now visit at the same time to one person. Visiting is assessed on a day to day basis depending what is happening in the hospice.
Visitors can be different people each day. We are trying to stagger visiting so there are not too many people here at once and we appreciate your help in still ‘booking in’ with the nurse on duty.
When patients are in the last hours of life we will, wherever possible, support more flexible visitng. In these cases we will discuss with families any requirements necessary to ensure this is done safely. At these times you may be exempt from having a test before visiting. We would also like to support important conversations prior to the final days of life and this can be discussed with the Nurse in Charge on an individual basis.
If a patient has suspected or confirmed COVID-19 visiting is not allowed but would be arranged where a patient is at the end of their life.
Virtual visiting can be offered via a smart phone or iPad.
We appreciate that this is very difficult for patients and their families but these restrictions are in place to protect patients and staff from the consequence of this potentially life threatening virus.
Visitors to all patients
All visitors will be asked to wear the relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout their visit for their own and others safety.
You will be advised on this when you arrive, but everyone will be asked to wear a surgical face mask.
We acknowledge that these arrangements are not as open as they usually are and we will continue to review visiting in accordance with guidance.
If you have any concerns, please raise these with Louise Sinclair, Head of Clinical Services.
Thank you for your patience and support.
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