Visiting

Hospital visiting and Covid-19

We continue to manage hospital visiting to protect patients, staff and the community from Covid-19 infection.

The Trust regularly reviews this decision, ensuring we are in line with both regional and national guidance.

Visitors are advised to book with the ward in advance. Times are at the discretion of the individual ward to ensure social distancing is maintained between staff, patients and visitors.

Wards and/or individuals bays may be closed without notice for infection prevention and control reason e.g. norovirus.

Who can visit?

• Up to two visitors at a time for patients:
  • At the end of their lives
  • Diagnosed with dementia
  • Who have a learning disability
  • Who have autism
  • Identified as at a risk of falls
  • Needing support eating and/or drinking
  • Or other similar complex condition where not having a familiar face present would cause them distress
  • 16 to 17-year-olds on adult wards

• One person may accompany each patient into the adult A&E at Southport hospital
• All other adult inpatients may receive two visitors at any one time but for a set period agreed with the ward

All visits must be booked in advance to avoid over-crowding and minimise risk of infection. Ward telephone numbers for Ormskirk here and Southport here.

Different people may visit on different days. Visitors should also consider the needs and wishes of the patient. Separate arrangements are in place for visits to:

• Children’s ward and A&E: two parents/carers per child
• Maternity and neonatal
• North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre

Speak to the ward or department concerned for further information.

Requests to visit outside this guidance should be discussed with the nurse or matron in charge. Individual visiting plans can be supported in exceptional circumstances.

What precautions must visitors take?

• Please take a lead on wearing a face-covering from the clinical staff in the area you’re visiting. Surgical masks are provide free at all main entrances
• Do not visit if you are Covid-19 positive, have any Covid-19 symptoms including:
  • Fever / high temperature 37.8C or above
  • New continuous cough
  • Loss / change of sense of taste or smell

• Have symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting

What alternatives are there to contacting someone in hospital?

Video calls. We can facilitate pre-arranged video calls calls using an iPad by contacting a member of staff on the appropriate ward. If your loved one has their own device and can accept video or telephone calls independently, then we encourage you to keep in touch this way also

Our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) service offers support, information and assistance to patients, relatives and visitors. The team can also provide help and advice if you have a concern or complaint that staff have not been able to resolve for you. Email soh-tr.pals@nhs.net.

Page updated 8/6/22