Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
The are some visiting restrictions in place at the Great Western
Hospital.
We understand that this is difficult for lots of people, but
it's important that we follow the guidelines to protect patients,
staff and volunteers.
You are also putting yourself at a greater risk of infection by
visiting the hospital.
Current visiting guidelines
Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in the hospital, all
visits have been stopped until further notice.
Exceptions, with restrictions, are as follows:
1. Relative collecting patients who have been discharged
2. End of life
3. Maternity wards
-
Only one birthing partner can accompany people in labour
-
Only one birthing partner can visit Hazel ward and Delivery
Suite
-
No children under the age of 16 can visit
-
One birthing partner can attend the routine 20-week scan
Please see also 'Outpatients and antenatal visits' below.
4. Children's Ward
5. For patients with additional or complex needs
People visiting patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
must wear standard PPE; surgical mask, apron and gloves.
Anybody attending the Emergency Department or one of our
Assessment units must attend alone, apart from some exceptional
circumstances such as accompanying a child under the age of
16.
Do NOT visit if you are isolating
Anyone who is isolating for any reason
(including if their household contact is admitted with COVID-19) -
i.e. they are symptomatic or have tested positive - must
not visit the hospital.
The only possible exception is for visiting end
of life children, and this must be agreed in
advance with the ward.
Accompanying others into hospital
Accompanying a vulnerable patient with a physical or mental
disability
Carers may accompany patients with physical or mental
disabilities, who would be unable to attend alone.
Accompanying a patient under the age of 16
One parent or guardian may accompany a person under the age of
16 to the Emergency Department, the Urgent Care Centre, or to an
Outpatients appointment.
Acting as a nominated birthing partner
One person can be nominated to accompany a woman giving birth.
For further information, please see Maternity Services.
Outpatients and antenatal visits
One birthing partner can attend the routine 20-week
scan.
For all other antenatal appointments, the patient should attend
alone, unless advised otherwise by a clinician.
One parent or guardian may accompany a patient under the age of
16.
Collecting a patient leaving hospital
If you are planning to collect a patient leaving hospital,
please contact the ward or service for
instructions on where to meet them.
Only one person should enter the hospital building to collect a
patient.
Please do not wait for patients inside the hospital building,
unless you have been asked to by a member of staff.
We do not want people waiting in corridors, in the main atrium
reception area or anywhere else inside the hospital building.
This is because having lots of people inside the hospital
increases the risk of infection to patients, staff and
volunteers.
Staying safe in the hospital
If you visit the hospital you will be asked to wear a face mask
or covering - please see Coming to
the hospital or attending a GP appointment.
You may also be asked to wear additional personal protective
equipment (PPE) by the ward or department you are visiting.
You should stay two metres away from other people where
possible.
We ask all visitors to wash their hands before entering and
leaving the building and to use the hand sanitiser outside each
ward and department.
Further information
Please see also Outpatients.
