Visiting restrictions at KGH to stay in place

KGH has decided to keep visiting restrictions in place following a review of the rules.

In a statement shared on their Facebook page, KGH said it had not been an easy decision but its priority was to keep patients and staff safe.

KGH said: "We have reviewed our current visiting restrictions at KGH 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."

KGH's current visiting restrictions means no visitors are allowed at the hospital with a few exceptions.

The exceptions are birthing partners on the Labour ward, mothers visiting the neonatal ward between 9am and 5pm, one parent or guardian in paediatrics, patients at the end of life will be allowed visitors at the discretion of the nurse in charge, and one other person is allowed in A&E, carers are allowed for outpatients who need support.

KGH said: "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 continuing situation with Covid-19 means hospitals are still having to restrict visitors as they try and contain the virus.

KGH said: "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."

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