Inpatient services: guidance for carers and families

Although community case numbers are high, face-to-face visiting at our inpatient (hospital) units remains a priority for the Trust. We recognise that visiting is an essential part of a person’s recovery, and working in partnership with families and carers is vital.  

We may have to introduce temporary restrictions at short notice if there are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 at one of our units. Please call in advance, before setting off, to check the arrangements at the unit where your loved one is staying.

The NHS is still subject to rigorous infection prevention and control measures.

Our approach to visiting

Please note the Trust’s approach to visiting:

• Before visiting, please contact the ward where your loved one is staying. Please check with the ward staff that the ward is open for visiting. If there are confirmed or suspected cases of Coronavirus on the unit where your loved one is staying, it may be necessary to temporarily restrict or suspend visiting, sometimes at short notice. Please be understanding if this happens
• When the ward confirms that it is open, you can plan to visit. The ward staff will confirm the visiting times and the number of people who can attend. Visits must be booked in advance. Visits may be shorter if there is a high demand for visits
• On arrival, please report to the unit or ward reception area
• Visitors will be informed about what to expect and about social distancing and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Good hand hygiene (handwashing) is needed 
• Visitors will need to wear a mask (or face covering) and will be offered gloves (hand washing facilities and sanitiser will also be available). The mask must not be touched or removed during the visit; if you need to replace a mask during the visit, we will be happy to provide replacements 
• Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19, or who has been advised by the Test and Trace service to self-isolate, must not visit
• Visiting outside the unit is preferable and social distancing measures must be adhered to. Visitors should use hand sanitiser on arrival and departure 
• A suitable room will be provided for any indoor visit. This room will be cleaned before and after the visit. PPE and a clinical waste bin will be available in the room.

We ask for your help in respecting these rules and remind visitors that it's not okay to abuse our staff. We are supportive of the step-down of national COVID restrictions and we want to support the recovery of our patients by keeping the risk of COVID coming into hospital settings to a minimum. We hope you recognise the value of our approach and find it helpful.

Before visiting, please consider:

	Have you had any of the following symptoms in the last 10 days? A new, continuous dry cough A high temperature A loss of or change in your normal sense of taste and smell	You must not visit
	Have you been in contact with a known COVID-19 case in the past 14 days? Are you or any members of your household self-isolating?	You must not visit
	Have you recently returned from overseas travel and been advised to quarantine?	You must not visit

	Are you aged over 70?	There is a higher risk to your heath
	Are you pregnant?	There is a higher risk to your health

	Have you completed a lateral flow test? To ensure that everyone remains safe, and the risk of COVID-19 infection is minimal, it would be appreciated if visitors completed a lateral flow test (LFT) before their visit.   You can find out where you can collect a box of lateral flow tests using the search facility on the gov.uk website.
	Only one visitor should attend per patient and the same visitor, or a visitor from the same household, should only attend where possible. Where children or carers with support needs are visiting, reasonable adjustments can be undertaken. This can be arranged and agreed with the senior nurse.
	Please bring a face mask. If you forget, don’t worry, you will be provided with a surgical face mask on arrival. Please ensure you keep the mask on at all times while in the hospital and during your visit. This must cover both your nose and mouth. When you arrive at the ward, please ring the bell or wait to speak with a member of staff. You will be directed to a visiting area.  Please continue to wear your face mask in this area. Please do not take off your mask, but if you feel uncomfortable, please talk to a member of staff.
	Clean your hands using the sinks and soap available.  Once you have done this, there will be hand sanitiser available for regular use.  This is available: On arrival to the hospital and on entering the ward When putting on or taking off any personal protective equipment, including face masks and face coverings On leaving the visiting area On leaving the ward On leaving the hospital building As soon as you get home.
	Please try to arrive on time for your visit and, once the visit has ended, we ask that you do not visit other parts of the hospital.
	Derbyshire Healthcare follows the government's two-metre social distancing guidance wherever possible.  Please adhere to this during your visit, including in all communal areas and lifts.  You will witness that this is not possible for staff when caring for patients - however, our staff will be wearing PPE.
	Please do not visit any other areas of the hospital once your visit has ended.

The following brochure is available to all service users and carers on our wards, and gives information on what changes they can expect to take place on their ward during this time.

• Keeping you well on the ward

Please visit the NHS website for the latest information about the virus.

Other useful sources of information: 

• The Coronavirus section on the gov.uk website
• Mind's information on Coronavirus which includes information on Coronavirus and sectioning
• The 'Your COVID recovery website'.