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Supporting patients to see their loved ones during the festive period

Inpatients at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals will be able to receive a visit from a loved one on either 25th or 26th December as we support safe visiting for patients during the festive period.

The Trust has taken decision to support patients to see their loved ones during the festive period by allowing visiting over a two-day period in a controlled and safe manner. 

Patients will be able to receive one visitor, for up to one hour on either 25th or 26th December at an allocated slot, which will need to be booked with the ward at least 24 hours in advance. 

There are exceptions which include patients in the emergency department, acute medical unit and outpatient areas and those wards supporting COVID-secure elective surgery where we need to do everything we can to reduce the risk of infection.

Previous arrangements remain for children on inpatient wards, pregnant women using maternity services, those patients with a cognitive impairment and for those patients who are at the end of their life.

Visitors must follow the safe visiting guidance issued to them throughout the visit, including wearing face coverings over the mouth and nose. Visiting will be restricted or suspended with immediate effect in the event of any spread of infection on hospital wards.

Visitors who experience any of the symptoms of COVID-19 infection - a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – must not visit hospitals.

To ensure the safety of our patients, staff and the wider public we are asking all visitors on 25th or 26th December to complete a lateral flow test prior to their visit. Visitors will be required to provide confirmation of a negative test on arrival to the ward.

Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive Kimberley Salmon-Jamieson said: “We know how important contact with family and friends is for patients and never more so than at this special time of year.

“Although the risks of COVID-19 infection remain we wanted to do something for our patients who find themselves in hospital at Christmas and give them something to look forward to.

“Our priority however remains to keep our hospitals safe, and we are asking all patients and visitors to abide by our visiting guidance in particular by booking visiting slots in advance, keep to the allotted timings and complete a lateral flow test before travelling to hospital. 

“We all need to do our bit to keep our hospitals safe by continuing to adhere to social distancing, always wearing face coverings over the mouth and nose and maintaining good hand hygiene.”

For details of the updated Warrington and Halton Hospitals Visiting read the full Visiting Guidance. 
Contact numbers for wards are available here on our website.

For details on the main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) visit NHS (www.nhs.uk)