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Important Update from Havens Hospices - 23rd July 2021

Since the start of the COVID outbreak we have been adhering to a strict visiting policy in line with national guidance to protect our admitted patients.

Whilst restrictions have been lifted across most of society, as a provider of healthcare we will be maintaining a number of restrictions to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.

Our Havens Hospices Covid Visitor Information helps to explain this. In summary:

• Only named individuals can visit and these are agreed with the patient and family on admission.  We can only have TWO people visiting a patient at any one time
• For all admissions we allow up to SIX named individuals with only TWO allowed in the building at any one time who should be from the same household
• We ask all families to consider the national restrictions regarding households mixing when deciding who can be visitors. These restrictions may change from week to week and depend upon your location.  At present there is an allowance for households to mix when a person is dying

Important notes

Access to the Care Floor is limited

On arrival to IPU all visitors are required to have their temperature recorded and complete a questionnaire.  Full PPE will be provided at reception on entering the hospice, and must be worn at all times, in corridors and shared areas and whilst in the patient’s room unless they are exempt.  PPE must be removed on leaving the patients room and a new mask will be provided.

Visitors must be well. No one should attempt to visit who is symptomatic and may be developing COVID infection.

Visitors must adhere to social distancing with staff and other visitors. They will be expected to remain in their relatives’ room.  They can use the en-suite facilities in the room.

Visitors should use the hand gel dispensers and wash their hands in the sinks in the patients’ room on entering and leaving.

Visitors must comply with the government advice to self-isolate for 10 days if they have recently returned from one of the countries on the published list.

If the patient has COVID visitors are still allowed – they will be required to wear the same PPE care staff are wearing. They will be helped to put on and remove the PPE safely. However, despite precautions they will still have a slightly higher risk of contracting COVID.

• As PPE is worn, the visitor does not need to self-isolate afterwards as a result of the visit
• However, visitors must also:
  • stay at least 2 metres away from others as they enter and leave the setting and avoid touching any surfaces
  • enter and leave the building as quickly as possible using the most direct route
  • avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
  • cover any coughs or sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin
  • wash their hands again with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when they are leaving the setting and then again as soon as they get home
  • follow stay at home guidance if they become unwell.

The nurse in charge always has the responsibility for maintaining a safe environment and in exceptional circumstances may have to restrict visiting further.  

Thank you for helping us keep everyone at Havens Hospices as safe as possible.

Ellie Miller, Director of Care and Executive Nurse
Dr Grahame Tosh, Medical Director

If anyone receiving care from Havens Hospices has concerns or questions, they can contact 01702 220 350 or email us.