With more patients now back on site at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, visitors are being reminded about the restrictions which remain in place.
Photo © Andrew Harker / Shutterstock.com
Staff at the hospital are highlighting the importance of not visiting anyone at the RUH if you are unwell yourself or have any COVID symptoms.
Limiting the amount of visitors on site and keeping to social distancing guidelines plays an important role in preventing the spread of infection and keeping everyone at the hospital, patients, visitors and staff, safe.
Key points for patients and visitors to remember are:
- Inpatients
Where staff are able to support visiting in a safe and manageable way, inpatients can have one visitor a day for up to an hour. To ensure social distancing, visits must be booked with ward teams the day before.
There are different visiting arrangements for end of life patients, vulnerable adults, Maternity, Children’s Ward, NICU and patients with suspected or confirmed COVID- 19.
Please contact the ward in advance to discuss appropriate arrangements.
- A&E
Patients arriving at the A&E department are asked to go on their own.
The hospital is following social distancing guidelines and, as a result, have less space in the emergency department waiting room.
You can be accompanied by a partner, family member, friend or carer, if:
-
- You are a patient with a physical or mental disability, who cannot attend alone
- You are under the age of 16
- Outpatients
Patients attending outpatient appointments are asked to go alone, unless advised otherwise by a clinician. There are some exceptions for Maternity appointments.
Child outpatients can be accompanied by one adult and no siblings.
Outpatients attending the hospital on their own are welcome to phone a family member, carer or friend to listen in via speaker phone, ask questions and support them during their appointment.
Patients and visitors are also reminded to make sure they observe social distancing and wear a face covering at all times.
RUH Deputy Medical Director Richard Graham said: “The hospital is getting busier and we’ve had to make changes to our waiting rooms and public spaces to support social distancing, so we’re keen to remind patients and visitors about our ongoing visiting restrictions.
“These restrictions have been put in place following government guidance to make the hospital as safe as possible for everyone so it’s really important that they are followed.
“We are making every effort to minimise the number of people on site and are supporting our staff to work remotely where possible.
“We’d like to thank everyone for their understanding while these visiting restrictions remain in place. We appreciate that it is difficult but we will continue to give our patients the very best care and support and make sure they can be supported by a friend, family or carer whenever possible, even if this is by phone.”
