In the light of the recent Government announcement and to help protect patients, colleagues and the public, hospitals in Somerset are now closed to visitors.
This includes Musgrove Park Hospital, Yeovil District Hospital, all thirteen community hospitals, all of the mental health units among others.
“The only exceptions are for
- patients receiving end of life care
- patients on children’s wards and neo-natal units and
- patients with specific conditions such as a dementia or a learning disability.
Individual visiting arrangements will be made for patients receiving end of life care and with specific conditions such as dementia or a learning disability.
Visitors to children’s wards and neonatal units must be parent or guardian visitors only and are limited to a maximum of one visitor per patient.
Women in labour can be accompanied by one birthing partner.
Those who would usually visit to embrace technology and keep in touch using mobile phones to call and message. The hospitals are also relaxing the rules around video calls to help keep you connected during this difficult time.
For people attending outpatient appointments they are asked to attend alone if at all possible. If they need to be accompanied due to mobility issues, one person may accompany them. No children are to enter the outpatients unit unless they are the patient.
All permitted visitors to our hospitals are required to wash their hands with soap and water, or use the alcohol gel when they go into a ward/department and when they leave. For the latest public health advice, click here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
No one should visit a hospital or unit, even if they meet the criteria above, if they are
- unwell, especially if you have a high temperature or a new, persistent cough
- vulnerable as a result of medication, a chronic illness or if you are over 70 years of age
Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus. This includes people of all ages – even if you do not have any symptoms or other health conditions.
Other things you can do to stop the infection spreading:
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
- stay 2 metres (3 steps) away from other people, if you need to go outside
