NHS Fife says hospital rountine visiting immediately limited to one named visitor amid rising coronavirus cases in the Kingdom

NHS Fife has announced that all routine visiting in hospitals is being limited to one named visitor per patient with immediate effect.

There is concern over rising coronavirus cases in recent weeks, with the health board warning that the spread of Covid-19 is going up within the region's communities.

But there are exemptions to the new visiting arrangements.

Visiting that will be considered essential and remain permitted are:

• Maternity - Pregnant women may identify a designated visitor to accompany them to their scans, antenatal appointments, during in labour on the postnatal/ maternity
• End of Life Care – To visit a person receiving end-of-life care.
• Mental Health/ Learning Disabilities - To support someone with a mental health issue, or those with a learning disability or autism where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed.
• Children’s Services - To accompany a child in hospital.

Janette Owens, NHS Fife's Director of Nursing, is pointing out that there are more emergency surgical and medical patient admissions than during previous waves.

She said: "With growing numbers of Covid-19 infections over recent weeks, it is clear that we have increasing spread of the virus within our communities in Fife.

"The nature of this virus is that it is highly infectious and can be easily spread by those with no symptoms at all or with mild symptoms.

"For those most vulnerable amongst us, such as those cared for in our hospitals, contracting Covid-19 can be particularly dangerous and it is vital that we do all that we can to protect those most at risk of the effects of the virus and to protect our health and social care services.

"What is also different at this time is that there are more emergency surgical and medical patient admissions than during the previous waves and to allow us to increase bed capacity, while maintaining safe social distancing we have taken the decision to limit visiting to one named visitor.

"This change will apply to all hospitals in Fife and will be reviewed regularly."

Meanwhile, NHS Fife has revealed 12 patients are in hospital receiving care for coronavirus, with a warning that admissions are set to rise.

Dr Chris McKenna, Medical Director at the health board, said: "We currently have 12 patients in hospital requiring care for Covid-19 and unfortunately, we expect this number to increase over the next few weeks.

"As part of our plans, we are operating our surge wards at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy to provide additional capacity at this time as well as additional capacity at Queen Margaret Hospital.

"Our GPs are also very busy, seeing an increase in those who are feeling very unwell with the virus and a proportion of these do require hospital admission.

"What is different at this time is that there are more emergency surgical and medical patient admissions than during the previous waves.

"All of our health and care services are under increasing strain from this demand. We also have a number of staff self-isolating, which is adding to the challenge.

"All steps are being taken to manage patients as safely as possible within Fife’s health care services, however we also need the public to play their part.

"We are seeing increasing numbers of the general public presenting at our emergency department, despite being given information on NHS 24 as well as suitable alternatives for care.

"To ensure you have the fastest access to the treatment you need, anyone with a non-life-threatening condition who would usually go to A&E should call NHS 24 on 111 first, day or night, to be directed to the right NHS service.

"With the easing of lockdown restrictions, we would also ask that the public continue to follow the FACTS:

"Face coverings in enclosed spaces,

"Avoid crowded places,

"Clean your hands and surfaces regularly,

"Two-metre social distancing,

"Self-isolate and book a test if you develop coronavirus symptoms.

"It is also vital that all those aged 18 or over get both vaccines and should look to take two lateral flow tests a week or a PCR test from one of our testing centres if you have any of the symptoms of Covid-19 - new continuous cough, fever or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste."