Visiting

To protect patients, staff and the community, patient visiting at Southport and Ormskirk hospital is still restricted.  This decision has not been taken lightly and we acknowledge the distress this may cause. We regularly review this decision to ensure that we are in line with both regional and national guidance and hope to begin gradually easing restrictions as soon as guidance allows.

Visiting will continue in the following specific circumstances:

• Patients who are at the end of their life – up to 2 visitors
• Women in maternity – 1 partner during labour and antenatal scans
• Children/neonatal – 1 parent (parents can interchange)
• Supporting someone with a mental health issue such as dementia, a learning disability or autism or other similar complex conditions that would be deemed in their best interest (where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed) – 1 visitor.

If the above circumstances apply, each individual area will advise on arrangements for booking your visit.

Where possible please call wards after 2pm when the doctors’ rounds are complete and nursing/therapy staff will be in better position to update you and make any necessary arrangements.

Spinal injuries, rehab wards(7B/G ward) and ICU

Controlled visiting will be reintroduced on the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, rehab wards (7B/G ward) and ICU. Each patient will be able to choose one named visitor, who will be able to visit once a week, in the first instance.

In such circumstances, visitors will only be permitted if the patient has been in the department for longer than three consecutive days. Visiting in such areas has been introduced due to the length of time patients usually stay in hospital.

Named visitors must be in the patient household or support bubble, over the age of 18 and complete a lateral flow test with a negative result before entering. Visitors should observe strict 2 metre social distancing principles whilst moving around the hospital.

Each visitor will be tracked and traced which may be done at a ‘visitor station’ as well as having their temperature confirmed. Visitors will be given a confirmation sticker that is dated and signed, before being able to visit their relative. This confirmation sticker will be destroyed upon leaving the ward.

PPE (apron, gloves and a surgical mask/visor) will be available once entering the ward. Please be aware you will be required to wear a surgical mask provided by the hospital. You will be advised to bring minimal belongings when visiting the hospital.

Parking is limited, so please allow plenty of time to find a parking space, there is also a charge, and you can pay with contactless on exit. Sit down catering facilities are not currently available to use, however, you will be able to purchase a takeaway coffee. There are vending machines available to use at Ormskirk hospital.

Based on the hospital and community Covid numbers, we are constantly reviewing other wards and departments to reintroduce visiting when it is safe to do so. We appreciate that you want to see your loved ones who are currently in hospital, and we are working with you to do this safely. We would like to thank you for your continued patience.

In the interests of safety for our patients, visitors, and our local community, please be aware that visiting on such wards may stop without any prior warning. In such circumstances we will endeavour to make you aware of any changes at the earliest opportunity.

To book your visitor slot please contact the ward on the appropriate number:

If you are unable to visit during the allocated times, flexibility can be considered by pre-arrangement with the matron and must be discussed in advance.

Please do not visit if:

• You are Covid-19 positive or have any Covid-19 symptoms including:
  • Fever / high temperature 37.8C or above
  • New continuous cough
  • Loss / change of sense of taste or smell
• You are isolating as a contact of someone who is Covid-19 positive.
• You have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace to say you are a contact of a Covid-19 positive person.
• You are shielding due to anticipated surgery.
• There are any local or national lockdown restrictions in place in your postcode that would not support you visiting.
• You have returned from a country with quarantine restrictions imposed by the British government.

What alternative options are there to stay in contact with someone who is in hospital?

• 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. We provide free patient wifi
• The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is a service that 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

How can I protect myself and those I am visiting at the hospital?

• Please follow the guidance for hand hygiene and wearing a face mask on entering the Trust/clinical area/department
• Please apply disposable gloves, disposable apron on entering the area you are visiting and this should be removed under supervision at the end of your visit
• Hand hygiene must be performed on exiting ward area and please continue to wear a face mask until exiting the hospital
• Please perform hand hygiene after removal of face mask directly at exit
• Strict adherence to 2-metres social distancing rules must be followed at all times