VISITING restrictions will remain in place across North Wales hospitals as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in the region.
New guidelines have been issued by Welsh Government to all health boards in Wales surrounding the precautions that can be adopted in order to increase the number of hospital visitors allowed on wards safely.
However, the Government say it is down to each individual health board with how they choose to implement the new rules.
In the latest daily update from Public Health Wales, on July 5, the region saw 386 cases from the six combined counties. Wales as a whole saw 1,256 newly recorded.
Debra Hickman, secondary care nurse director at BCUHB, said: "We have reviewed the Welsh Government’s guidance, and as our visiting policy is informed by the community COVID-19 transmission rates which remain high across North Wales, visiting restrictions will remain in place and subject to ongoing monitoring.
“We will continue to assess the community case rates, admissions and monitor footfall in our hospitals in line with infection prevention practices.
"We recognise the importance and benefit of patients seeing loved ones, but please be assured patient safety is always at the forefront of these decisions.”
BCUHB will be easing maternity services visiting from Monday, July 12.
Ms Hickman added that there is some good news available for expecting parents.
She added: "We are easing maternity services visiting from Monday, July 12, to allow birthing partners or a nominated essential other to book a two-hour appointment into the Inpatient Maternity Wards across our three maternity units.
“Maternity visitors will need to complete a Lateral Flow test before attending appointments and temperature checks will be taken.”
BCUHB’s general visiting arrangements:
• Visitors are not permitted in areas whereby there are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID 19 (except in exceptional circumstances outlined above)
• Please check with the Ward / Department for visiting availability and times
• Visiting remains restricted to one identified visitor per patient (except in exceptional circumstances outlined above as agreed with the Nurse in Charge)
• Visiting is limited to 1 hour (except in exceptional circumstances outlined above as agreed with the Nurse in Charge) at the discretion of the Ward Manager and some visits may need to be cut short or cancelled
Visits will be by appointment with the Ward / Department directly and adhere to approved safe numbers for each specific area
BCUHB’s exceptional circumstances for inpatient visiting:
• Patient receiving end-of-life care in the last days of life
• A familiar carer/parent or guardian/supporter/personal assistant to assist in care provision as agreed with ward/department
• Both parents/guardians where the family bubble can be maintained in Paediatric and Neonatal wards / units
• Patients may be accompanied where appropriate and it is necessary to assist their communication and/or to meet their health, emotional, religious or spiritual care needs as agreed with ward/department.
The latest visiting arrangements are available on the BCUHB website - https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/hospital-visiting1/.
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