Western Isles hospital patients allowed limited visiting

NHS Western Isles is partially relaxing visiting restrictions in Western Isles hospitals.

A visiting ban was imposed five weeks ago at island hospitals apart from exceptional circumstances following a surge nationally in cases of Covid, particularly the new variant Omicron.

A cluster of Covid cases in Western Isles Hospital had also led to restricted patient admissions in one of the wards.

Limited visiting has now been introduced at the three island hospitals. Patients will be permitted one visit a day from one designated visitor. If a pair of designated visitors live in the same household both can attend at the same time slot.

The designated visitor will be for the duration of the inpatient stay, and can only be changed in exceptional circumstances.

Hospitals are still under pressure with non-urgent operations postponed in a bid to cope with “sustained demand” on services.

Appointments for outpatient clinics and treatment for a number of patients are also affected.

Under the new visiting arrangements, visitors are limited to 30 minutes per day.

Visiting times are between 1.30pm and 4.30pm as well as from 6pm to 7.30pm.

Essential visiting for inpatients who require more frequent visits will continue to be arranged as required, without restrictions on the number of visits or visitors.

Essential visits can be arranged for a range of situations including a birth partner supporting a woman during hospital visits; a person receiving end-of-life care; to support someone with a mental health issue; or dementia, a learning disability or autism where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed; or to accompany a child in hospital.

All visits - including essential visits - must be booked in advance by contacting the hospital switchboard on 01851 704704.

The new arrangements apply to St Brendan’s, Uist and Barra Hospital, and Western Isles Hospital.

A health board statement said: “Whilst our hospitals continue to be busy, and the Covid-19 transmission risk remains where physical distancing is challenging, NHS Western Isles will continue to take steps to mitigate, as far as possible, risks in busy ward areas.

“We would however stress to visitors and patients that transmission risks are ever-present and visitors must risk assess their own visits and ensure that they have taken every possible precaution to protect inpatients - many of whom are at increased risk of more serious illness if they contracted Covid-19.

“This includes ensuring that you take LFD tests before every visit, carefully observing safety precautions including wearing face masks in public places, keeping gatherings with other households as small as possible; washing your hands regularly; and covering your nose and mouth if coughing or sneezing.”

Western Isles hospital patients allowed limited visiting after health board eases measures

18 January 2022