NHSGGC is suspending visiting at all hospitals in order to protect patients and staff from COVID-19. This comes into effect immediately from Wednesday 25 March.
This suspension applies to all visitors with the following groups exempted as essential visitors:
- One birthing partner, during labour, who must remain within the maternity area at all times.
- Parents of children who are inpatients or attending an outpatient appointment. Parents should remain with their child at all times during the visit.
- One person to support someone with a mental health issue such as dementia, a learning disability or autism where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed
- One family member of those receiving end of life care
Arrangements for those in the above categories to visit should be made through the nurse in charge in the ward. Only one visitor can attend at any given time. No children are permitted to visit.
All visitors must use hand sanitiser when entering and leaving clinical areas and must not visit if they are experiencing a persistent cough, fever or flu like symptoms.
Essential visitors at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital will be greeted by volunteers with hand sanitiser. Volunteers will also encourage those in the main atrium and food areas to practice social distancing measures.
Angela O’Neill, Deputy Nurse Director of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said:
“In these extraordinary circumstances, we have made the decision to suspend all visiting from our hospitals. This is to protect our patients, staff and public from COVID-19.
“We understand this will be difficult – visitors are normally warmly welcomed into our hospitals but our main priority now is to keep everyone safe.
“We want to thank everyone for their understanding and cooperation.
“Essential visitors, like birthing partners, parents of children and those visiting a family member receiving end of life care, will continue to be allowed, however only 1 visitor at any given time. If you are in the essential group of visitors, please speak to the nurse in charge to arrange.”