Guidance on our visiting restrictions
We will not be allowing visitors at our hospital until further notice (with some exceptions) to help protect staff, patients and visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This situation is reviewed in line with national guidance.
Patients must only come to the hospital if there is a clinical need for you to be seen (i.e an appointment). If you need to enter the hospital, please use only the main front entrance unless your appointment letter indicates another entrance.
A small welcome team of staff and St John’s Ambulance volunteers, based at the main entrance will stream all incoming patients and visitors so you get to where you need to be quickly, with the least risk.
Attending your appointment
Do not come to the hospital if you or anyone in your household has any any symptoms of coronavirus (a new continuous cough, a high temperature or loss of/change to taste or smell) or tested positive.
All patients and visitors will be expected to comply with existing social distancing and hand hygiene measures in addition to wearing face coverings while in the hospital setting.
Anyone attending our hospital must do so on their own, if possible, with the following exceptions:
- One parent of patients/visitors under 18 years old
- One carer for adult patients/visitor requiring assistance
- One relative collecting a patient being discharged
- To be with patients at the end of their life. The number of visitors at the bedside is limited to one close family contact or somebody important to the dying person. However, where it is possible to facilitate social distancing throughout a visit, a second additional visitor (including a child) may be permitted.
- One birthing partner.
Pairs or groups of people entering the hospital will be politely challenged by our welcome team. Anyone accompanying the patient will be asked to wait in car or outside – keeping social distance.
If you need to come to the hospital, we ask that you work with us to help keep our patients, staff, volunteers and visitors safe.
At the entrance to the hospital or departments, all patients and visitors will be asked key health questions and will have their temperature taken.
You may be asked to go home, self-isolate, arrange a test through test and trace and re-book your hospital appointment if your temperature, is raised or you meet certain health criteria.
When you come to the hospital, it’s important that you:
- Wear a face mask or face covering at all times
- Maintain social distance from others at all times.
- Wash your hands with soap and water as regularly as possible (for at least 20 seconds) and using the alcohol hand gel available around the hospital
Important information on the use of face coverings when coming to George Eliot hospital.
All patients attending appointments will need to wear a face covering when you come to hospital as a visitor or outpatient.
People infected with COVID-19 can have very mild or no respiratory symptoms (asymptomatic) and can transmit the virus to others without being aware of it.
We are following the recommendations from the World Health Organisation, and are introduced measures to keep visitors, patients, and staff safe.
What does this mean for me?
We can all play a role in reducing the spread of coronavirus and keeping our hospitals safe. If you are coming to hospital as a visitor or for planned outpatient care, it is important that you wear a face covering at all times. This is for your safety and the safety of other patients and staff.
Face coverings can be homemade. Advice on how to wear and make one can be found on the government website. Face coverings worn as part of religious beliefs or cultural practice are acceptable, but they must cover your mouth and nose.
Please bring a face covering with you whenever possible, but if you do not have one available when you come to hospital, we will provide you with one.
If you are currently shielding and have been provided with a surgical face mask, please wear it. Otherwise, you should wear a face covering.
We understand that for some people, wearing a face covering may be difficult due to physical or mental health conditions. Please let us know if this is the case and we will make arrangements including timed appointments and being seen immediately on arrival.
If you are a deaf or hearing impaired, our staff have communication options to help us communicate with you including writing things down and virtual British Sign Language.
Additional Guidance for being with patients at end of life
We understand that you will want to be by the side of your loved one if they are at the end of their life. The number of visitors at the bedside is limited to one close family contact or somebody important to the dying person. However, where it is possible to facilitate social distancing throughout a visit, a second additional visitor (including a child) may be permitted.
If permission for visiting cannot be given, family members will be given the option of maintaining contact with their loved one via video calls using ward iPads.
Members of extended family are also respectfully requested to nominate a family member as a single point of contact to call ward areas directly for an update and then update the rest of the family. Please ask a member of staff for more details.
There are other ways that you can keep in touch for example you can use our Letters to Loved Ones service to send letters, photographs or messages to loved ones on the wards. Email LoveLetters@geh.nhs.uk
Guidance for people coming to the Emergency Department (ED)
· Patients should attend alone wherever possible
· If a carer is required, please be advised that it may not be possible to stay with the patient at all times.
Please inform our staff if you or any of your household have shown symptoms of coronavirus including
- A high temperature
- A new, continuous cough
- Loss of taste or smell
Or if you have you had contact with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19.
Please be aware that you will be asked these questions when you arrive and throughout your stay. We will also take your temperature regularly, and you will be screened (swabs taken) on admission as routine.
Patients having planned surgical procedures will be notified of requirements for pre-screening, leading up to admission.
If your hospital stay is longer than seven days, we will screen you again and at any time, should you have symptoms, as above.
Guidance for people coming to Children’s services
Only one parent/main carer may stay with the patient for the duration of their stay
No siblings or children under 18 years may attend with the patient