Southern Trust to suspend all visiting arrangements from 6pm tonight
The Southern Health and Social Care Trust is temporarily suspending visiting on all sites and facilities from 6 pm tonight, Friday 11 September.
Only end of life visits and birthing partners will be permitted.
The Trust says this is to protect visitors, patients and staff given the increased level of COVID-19 currently circulating in the area.
A spokesperson stated, “We are encouraging virtual visits for example through personal smartphone technology.
“Relatives who need help with this can call our Virtual Visiting co-ordinator between 9 am and 5 pm on 077 7651 6419 to set this up with their loved one.
The new Southern Trust visiting arrangements in Newry and Mourne
In end-of-life/birthing partners cases, only one visitor is permitted per day and for a maximum of one hour as set out by the Department of Health.
When visiting you should minimise movement and only stay in the immediate area of the patient.
Each patient/resident or their next of kin will be asked to nominate a maximum of two people to be their designated visitors for the duration of their stay.
Article continues below
Visitors will wear the appropriate PPE as provided by the Trust facility.
Hands must be sanitised regularly throughout their visit, especially on entering and leaving the ward and hospital/facility.
Children under 16 years are not permitted to visit unless there are exceptional circumstances and it has been agreed by the Nurse in Charge.
Birthing partners are only allowed to accompany the woman to the dating scan, anomaly scan and for active labour and birth.
Virtual visiting remains the preference, the Trust said.
Anyone who is shielding or self-isolating must not visit.
The Trust added a thank-you to the public for their co-operation and support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please visit www.southerntrust.hscni.net for full visiting information and guidance.
Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=72879