Northampton General Hospital keeps visiting ban in place ‘for a little while longer’ on most wards

Bosses at Northampton General Hospital have made the decision to keep restrictions, which ban most visitors, in place ‘for a little while longer’.

Last week, the hospital announced that it was reviewing the situation and would announce the ‘new normal’ in due time.

However, the decision that has been described as ‘not easy’, has been made to keep current restrictions in place in order to keep patients and staff safe.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said: “We have reviewed our current visiting restrictions at NGH and listened to the views of our patients and our staff.

“We are also mindful of the impact that Covid-19 continues to have on communities across the country and, having taken all issues into consideration, we have taken the decision to keep our current restrictions in place for a little while longer.

“This has not been an easy decision for us to make and we know that some of our patients and their loved ones will be disappointed.

“However, our priority is to keep our patients and staff safe and not having visitors on site at the present time will help us to do this.

“We appreciate the support we have received from the local community and want to assure you all that we are looking forward to welcoming visitors back to our hospital as soon as it is safe for us and them to do so.

“We are continuing to offer the relatives helpline, letters to loved ones and video calls during this time.

“We understand there may be upsetting or difficult circumstances when patients may be at the end of their life, and we will do all we can to support relatives to visit in such circumstances.

“Any such arrangements will be agreed by the nurse in charge and are at the discretion of the particular ward area.”

The continued restrictions mean there are no visitors allowed on any wards, with the exception of the Disney, Paddington and Gosset wards, where one parent or guardian is allowed.

In A&E, only in exceptional circumstances, will a visitor be allowed.

Restrictions were also in place on maternity wards, however those have now been lifted slightly.

From today (July 6), one consistent birth partner is allowed, but they will be tested for Covid-19..

Visitors will be allowed 90 minutes in the observation area following transfer from theatre, two hours visiting per day for women who are having induction of labour and two hours visiting on Robert Watson ward, between 2pm and 4pm.

Partners will be asked to stay by the bedside and will not be able to wander about the ward or use the toilet facilities.

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