Hospitals re-impose visiting restrictions amid soaring covid pressures

In the north of England, where covid bed occupancy and new admissions are highest, restrictions on visiting patients in hospitals are being re-imposed in areas such as Morecambe Bay, South Tyneside, Sunderland and Merseyside. They had been relaxed in previous months after being in force over the winter.

Visiting restrictions were re-introduced by South Tyneside and Sunderland Foundation Trust at its adult inpatient wards on Wednesday, 14 July, as covid hospitalisation rates in the area “[are] now doubling week-on-week,” the trust said.

There were more than 80 covid patients at the trust on 13 July, up from just two patients a month previously.

It comes as the government is preparing to release national covid restrictions next week, despite increasing concerns among NHS staff and leaders.

Shaz Wahid, medical director at South Tyneside and Sunderland Foundation Trust, said: “Our services both in hospital and in the community are being stretched like never before as we strive to keep the recovery of services on track whilst managing this.

“It certainly feels like we are entering the most difficult period for NHS staff, after the long slog of the past year, we are now gearing up again for another wave of pressure.”

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust said on Tuesday it was suspending visiting to all its hospitals for “at least two weeks” due to rising covid cases in hospital and in the community.

Visits will still be allowed for children, patients with dementia and those receiving end of life care at Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Furness General Hospital in Barrow and Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal.

Sue Smith, deputy chief executive of the trust, said: “In agreement with other local hospitals, we regret the need to suspend the visiting arrangements we have in place for at least two weeks as we are seeing cases in our hospitals and the community rise.”

St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust reintroduced visiting restrictions for its three hospitals at the end of June. In previous months the trust had been allowing a small number of visitors through a new visiting system.

The trust said it is still possible for pregnant women to attend with a support partner during labour, or for antenatal appointments, and to have limited post-natal visitors. A maximum of two visitors is allowed for end-of-life patients, one parent or guardian visiting a child and one carer for patients with mental health or learning disability needs.

Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, said no trust decides to suspend or restrict visiting lightly and leaders ”understand the importance of allowing visitors, in a safe and manageable way”.

He said: ”Trusts need to make decisions based on local risk assessments. These take account of factors including the local prevalence of infection and the specific built environment, including size, layout and ventilation.

“As with the guidance on facecoverings, what we need is clear communication with the public to manage their expectations and help them to understand, when these restrictions are put in place, it is to keep them and their loved ones safe.”

Mr Hopson added that in many trusts across the country, visitor restrictions have remained in place since the start of the pandemic