Essential visiting
At times it may be necessary to restrict visiting for short periods of time for specific reasons. For example, if there is an outbreak of an infection such as COVID-19 in a ward it is normal practice to restrict visiting until the outbreak is under control. Even in these circumstances we would expect essential visits to be able to continue where required. Some examples of situations include, when someone is reaching the end of their life, if someone has dementia and needs family support, support for someone with a learning disability, a family member who has informal caring responsibilities, parents with a child in hospital and care relating to childbirth including both ante-natal and post-natal care. These examples are illustrative and are not an exhaustive list. Contact the ward and nurse in charge to discuss your personal circumstances.
Standard visiting
The strict visiting restrictions which we had to introduce as a result of the pandemic have now been eased to allow patients in Fife hospitals to be able to receive two visitors each day.
Patients in most areas of Fife hospitals will be allowed visits from two people at any given time. In areas where this cannot be accommodated due to 2-metre distancing requirements, patients will continue to be able to receive two visitors per day, but with one visitor permitted at a time.
As we ease these restrictions, strict hygiene and distancing measures remain in place to help us minimise the risk to patients and healthcare staff. For this reason, we ask that all visitors regularly apply hand sanitiser and continue to wear a fluid resistant surgical face mask when visiting. These masks are available at hospital entrances.
Young visitors
Within our Neonatal and Children’s Wards, only siblings of the young person in hospital care are permitted. In our Maternity areas, siblings of the newborn can visit mother and baby on the maternity ward but are not permitted in our labour or assessment areas.
Visitors are also strongly urged to test for COVID-19 before attending and home test kits remain free-of-charge to those visiting hospitals. Information on how to order such kits is available at: www.nhsfife.org/testing.
All visiting arrangements continue to be kept under regular review in line with COVID-19 infection rates and hospital capacity, with a view to moving to full person-centred visiting when safe to do so.
Exceptions
There are a number of areas where visiting is considered to be essential and will continue to be permitted. Details can be found on the following links Maternity / End of Life Care /Mental Health/Learning Disabilities / Children’s Department. If in any doubt, visitors should contact us and discuss with nurse-in charge.
This position will be kept under regular review.
Virtual visiting
Where in-person support is not possible, a patient can be supported by alternatives such as virtual visiting using tablets or mobiles.