Due to the current rate and presentation of COVID-19 in our region, we will restrict visiting to maintain patient safety and reduce the risk of spread within our hospitals.
This will take effect from 16th June 2021 and the phased reintroduction of visiting to Warrington and Hospital sites will be suspended.
Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive, Kimberley Salmon-Jamieson said: “We have taken this difficult decision, along with other hospitals in the Cheshire and Merseyside region, to suspend the limited visiting arrangements which were recently introduced for a small number of our hospital wards.
“This is due to the rising rates of COVID-19 infection in our communities and we feel it is the right course of action at this time when both Warrington and Halton have been designated as enhanced response areas due to the prevalence of the Delta variant of COVID-19.
“We appreciate the disappointment and frustration this may cause, however, the safety of patients, their loved ones and our staff, must always be our primary concern.”
Visiting will be permitted in the following circumstances:
- A maximum of two visitors for patients at the end of their life.
- One birthing partner accompanying a woman in labour.
- One partner accompanying woman to antenatal scans. Risk assessments of environments should be undertaken.
- One parent or appropriate adult visiting a child, this may include multiple parents although only one may be present at any time, this also include Neonatal services.
- One carer that is supporting someone with a mental health issue such as dementia, a learning disability or autism or other similar complex conditions where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed.
- In exceptional cases consideration will be given to individual requests following a comprehensive risk assessment.
Visitors should observe strict 2 metre social distancing principles whilst moving around the hospital wear face coverings/face masks and adhere to strict handwashing on entering and leaving the hospital and clinical areas.
Outpatient appointments
Most of our outpatient appointments are now being undertaken in a different way. When it is necessary to attend the hospital, the patient should attend alone, where this is not possible, either due to potential psychological distress or physical support, one person may accompany the patient attending outpatients, both should wear face coverings.
Please contact the ward or department in advance to discuss appropriate arrangements.
Your health, safety and wellbeing, that of our patients, communities and staff across the organisation remain our absolute priority. We will support you to find other ways of keeping in touch with your loved ones in hospital, like phone and video calls. If you are worried please speak to the nurse in charge.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding at this challenging time.
We will review these arrangements on a weekly basis and in the context of the environment we are providing care in.
Guidance developed in partnership with NHSE/I and Directors of Nursing/Chief Nurses in Cheshire & Merseyside