Coronavirus: Further visiting restrictions introduced at Pinderfields, Pontefract and Dewsbury Hospitals

Further visitor restrictions have been introduced at hospitals across Wakefield as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Further visitor restrictions have been introduced at hospitals across Wakefield as the coronavirus pandemic continues.Further visitor restrictions have been introduced at hospitals across Wakefield as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Further visitor restrictions have been introduced at hospitals across Wakefield as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

The Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust, which manages Pinderfields, Pontefract and Dewsbury and District Hospitals, said they had introduced the restrictions to "protect everyone, as much as we can, from the spread of coronavirus."

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Visitor restrictions were introduced earlier this week, but have now been updated.

It follows the first confirmed deaths from Covid-19 in the district.

The Trust have further restricted visiting hours to 2pm to 3pm and 6.30pm to 7.30pm, and are asking visitors to attend just one of the sessions.

All visitors must be immediate family members or carers, and no children under 12 will be permitted to visit without the permission of the ward manager or senior nurse.

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The full statement from the Trust reads: "In line with national guidance the Trust has taken the decision to make further restrictions to visiting across all three hospital sites and Wakefield Intermediate Care Unit. This is in order to protect everyone, as much as we can, from the spread of coronavirus.

"We appreciate this will be difficult for people wanting to visit their loved ones in hospital, but hope that everyone understands the reasons why we have felt it necessary to take these precautions.

"We also understand there will be some exceptional circumstances, and in these situations visiting will be allowed at the discretion of the ward manager.

"All visiting must take place between 2pm and 3pm or 6.30pm and 7.30pm. Please note we are asking people not to come to both sessions, you should choose one or the other.

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"Visitors must be immediate family members or carers. No children under 12 can visit any of our hospitals without the permission of the ward manager or senior nurse.

"You should not visit any of our inpatient, diagnostic or outpatient areas, if you are: unwell, especially if you have a high temperature or a new, persistent cough; vulnerable as a result of any medication you are taking, a chronic illness or you are over 70 years of age.

"We request only one visitor per patient attends the chosen session, unless the patient is receiving end-of-life care, as a visitor you need to be accompanied (your accompanying visitor should not stay in patient, ward or communal areas, and this applies to inpatient and outpatient settings) or you are a partner and birthing partner accompanying a woman in labour."

Exceptions will apply in paediatrics and neonatal areas, where two parents or care-givers, including children under 12, will be able to visit, and one parent or care-giver can be resident over night.

Visit the Mid Yorks website for the latest information.

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