Throughout the pandemic, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals have kept their visitor policies under regular review to get the right balance between patient safety and flexibility for patients and their families.
In response to a more stable Covid-19 position at both Royal Preston and Chorley and South Ribble Hospitals and a reduction in the numbers of Covid-19 positive patients, the Trust is reintroducing visiting to adult inpatient areas on a controlled basis.
From Thursday 14th October, patients will be supported to receive one visitor per day lasting a maximum of one hour between 2pm – 3pm or 6pm – 7pm (seven days per week). Arrangements will need to be made in advance between the ward area and the visitor.
Ward areas will keep a list of hospital visitors’ names and contact details, to aid the NHS Test and Trace teams if contact tracing is indicated.
In order to gain access to the ward, all visitors are requested to provide evidence of a negative rapid lateral flow test. This means testing themselves prior to attending the hospital and demonstrating the negative test before entering the ward area.
If the above times do not suit the ward or visitor and patients requirements then alternative timings can be made - however the above principles still apply.
All staff and visitors must continue to comply with Government guidelines with regards to social distancing and hand hygiene practices in NHS settings. All visitors, unless exempt, must also wear a surgical face mask and any PPE that the clinical area recommends.
Surgical face masks are available FREE at all our reception areas.
Sarah Cullen, Nursing, Midwifery and AHP Director said: “In addition to the special arrangements that have been in place for end of life, maternity and children, we are now very pleased to be in a position to reintroduce some limited visiting to all our adult inpatients.
“We still need all visitors to follow the hands, face, space guidance and thank everyone for their ongoing patience and support.”
