Limited visitors allowed at RUH as Covid pressure eases

Most visiting was suspended in November last year, in line with government guidance. But from Monday, April 12 as coronavirus pressure eases.

As Covid cases reduce at the RUH and with updated NHS guidance, new visiting arrangements have been introduced.

RUH CEO Cara Charles-Barks

Chief executive of the hospital foundation, Cara Charles-Barks, said: “This is excellent news and will come as a welcome relief to patients and their families.

“The health, safety and wellbeing of our patients, communities, individuals and teams remain our absolute priority, and we are really pleased to be able to relax our regulations in a managed and responsible way.”

From April 12visiting will be allowed in the hospital with each patient able to have one visitor a day for a maximum of one hour.

In most cases these visitors will be limited to one close family contact or someone important to the patient. Visitors will be expected to provide their name and contact details for NHS Test and Trace purposes.

These visits must be booked at least one day in advance with the staff to avoid overcrowding and all visitors must wear a mask and stick to social distancing guidance.

An RUH spokesman said: “In some situations, such as when visiting a patient who has suspected or confirmed Covid-19, extra personal protective equipment may be required.”

Exceptions to the general one visitor only rule include the Children’s Ward and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, vulnerable adults and patients nearing the end of life.