Visiting suspended at all Southern Trust sites

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust is temporarily suspending visiting on all sites and facilities from 6pm today (Friday, September 11).
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Sep 2020, 16:12 BST
Updated 11th Sep 2020, 16:17 BST
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Only end of life visits and birthing partners will be permitted. This is to protect visitors, patients and staff given the increased level of COVID-19 currently circulating in this area, a spokesperson said.

They added: “We are encouraging virtual visits for example through personal smart phone technology or relatives who need help with this can call our Virtual Visiting co-ordinator between 9am and 5pm on 077 7651 6419 to set this up with their loved one.”

New arrangements are as follows:

PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/08/2020 Five patients in a cancer ward at Craigavon Area Hospital have tested positive for Covid-19. A member of staff on the Haematology Ward is also affected. Others have been sent home to self-isolate, and the ward has been closed to new admissions. The families of patients are being contacted by the Southern Health Trust. It is the second confirmed outbreak at the hospital, which treated the highest number of Covid-19 patients in NI during the height of the pandemic.PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/08/2020 Five patients in a cancer ward at Craigavon Area Hospital have tested positive for Covid-19. A member of staff on the Haematology Ward is also affected. Others have been sent home to self-isolate, and the ward has been closed to new admissions. The families of patients are being contacted by the Southern Health Trust. It is the second confirmed outbreak at the hospital, which treated the highest number of Covid-19 patients in NI during the height of the pandemic.
PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/08/2020 Five patients in a cancer ward at Craigavon Area Hospital have tested positive for Covid-19. A member of staff on the Haematology Ward is also affected. Others have been sent home to self-isolate, and the ward has been closed to new admissions. The families of patients are being contacted by the Southern Health Trust. It is the second confirmed outbreak at the hospital, which treated the highest number of Covid-19 patients in NI during the height of the pandemic.
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In end-of-life/birthing partners cases, the following will apply:

Only one visitor is permitted per day and for a maximum of one hour as set out by the Department of Health. When visiting you should minimise movement and only stay in the immediate area of the patient.

Each patient/resident or their next of kin will be asked to nominate a maximum of two people to be their designated visitors for the duration of their stay.

Visitors will wear the appropriate PPE as provided by the Trust facility.

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Hands must be sanitised regularly throughout their visit, especially on entering and leaving the ward and hospital/facility.

Children under 16 years are not permitted to visit unless there are exceptional circumstances and it has been agreed by the Nurse in Charge.

Birthing partners are only allowed to accompany the woman to the dating scan, anomaly scan and for active labour and birth.

Virtual visiting remains the preference.

Anyone who is shielding or self-isolating must not visit.

The spokesperron concluded: “The Trust wishes to thank the public for their co-operation and support during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Please visit www.southerntrust.hscni.net for full visiting information and guidance.

Related topics:Covid-19Department of Health

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