New visitor restrictions at OUH
23/12/2020
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This article is from 23 December 2020 - the situation may change with time.
Here at OUH, we have updated our current inpatient visitor policy due to rising levels of COVID-19 cases in the community.
From today Wednesday 23 December 2020, we will not be allowing any visitors to our hospitals - with a few exceptions.
- Maternity - current visiting arrangements to remain in place, until we move into Tier 4 on 26 December 2020 (more details below)
- Children - one parent or guardian only, no siblings, except on Christmas Day (more details below)
- Patients at the end of their life - in the difficult and upsetting circumstances where patients may be at the end of their life, the nurse or midwife in charge will enable up to one visitor per patient to spend time with their loved one
- Patients who cannot make decisions for themselves - current arrangements remain in place
These new restrictions replace the 'Rule of One' visiting arrangements.
Patients attending our Emergency Departments, Emergency Assessment Units, and Outpatient Departments are also expected to be unaccompanied unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Child patients on Christmas Day
We will be allowing our child inpatients - so those 17 years old and younger - additional visitors from their existing household bubble on Christmas Day only.
Maternity patients
Existing maternity visiting rules will remain the same until we move into Tier 4 on 26 December 2020.
After 26 December, visitors will only be permitted during:
- 12 week and 20 week scan appointments
- Fetal Medicine appointments
- Breech Clinic appointments
- Labour assessment, labour, and birth.
Women under 18 years old, women who are sadly going through bereavement, or women who require a carer can have a single visitor for the duration of their care.
All visitors must be the same person for each appointment, and they must be a member of the patient's household or existing support bubble.
Sam Foster, Chief Nursing Officer at the Trust, said: "We never take these decisions lightly, however we have a duty to protect our patients and our staff.
"With COVID-19 cases rising in the community, we have to do all that we can to keep everyone safe.
"Thank you for your support and understanding at this time."
The 'Keep in Touch' service is also available for those who cannot visit their loved ones.