Visiting arrangements in all NHSGGC hospitals
From Monday 9 August patients in hospital in NHSGGC will be able to have:
- Support in hospital from the people who matter to them. This no longer needs to be limited to the same two people visiting, however, we may sometimes need to limit the numbers of family members who can visit at any one time, so physical distancing rules can be followed.
- Conversations with the patient and family will take place on admission and throughout the hospital stay to discuss who they would like to visit and when.
- Family support at times when patients wish the presence, help and support of the people who matter to them. For example at mealtimes, rehabilitation sessions, discharge planning and during Multi-disciplinary Team conversations.
While COVID-19 is still with us, to maintain the safety of patients, family providing support and staff, visiting needs to continue to be carefully managed and to limit numbers of people visiting at any one time. If you wish to visit anyone in hospital, please contact the ward to arrange a visit in advance, so we can be sure our wards and hospital sites do not become overcrowded and allow everyone to follow the physical distancing rules. A list of telephone numbers can be found for all wards and departments on the NHSGGC website link here.
There may however be some circumstances where it is still not safe for a patient to have a visitor; if this is the case, we will tell you why and keep it under review where possible.
To help keep everyone safe, we strongly recommend that all visitors have a Voluntary Lateral Flow Test prior to visiting and then undertake these twice per week for as long as you are the named visitor. This is optional. Information on how to order Lateral Flow Tests is on the Scottish Government’s website or tests can be collected from COVID testing centres in the afternoon or early evening or from the asymptomatic test facilities across NHSGGC – these can be found here. If you do not wish to have a test or are not able to test this will not be an obstacle to a visit.
When visiting the hospital please do not bring additional family and friends with you unless you are a carer accompanying a family member or a parent accompanying a child.
When visiting the hospital, you must follow the FACTS guidance:
- Face covering/mask must be worn unless there is a reason you cannot.
- Avoid communal gatherings in public areas of the hospital. Take the stairs, if possible, to avoid congregating in lift lobbies. Your movement around other areas of the hospital must be limited as much as is reasonably possible.
- Clean your hands using the hand sanitiser before and after you leave the ward or department and when you touch anything.
- Two metres distance should be maintained from others.
- Self-isolate – You MUST NOT attend if you are unwell, if you are a household contact or have otherwise been informed that you are a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19 and have been advised to self-isolate or must self-isolate for another reason or have to self-isolate for another reason (e.g. travel from a country requiring quarantine).
Test and Protect
Ward staff will ask you to complete your contact details on arrival at the ward. This is to enable public health colleagues to contact you if necessary if you come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Virtual Visiting Service
If you cannot visit in person, please use technology such as social media and phone calls to stay in touch. If you would like to arrange a ‘virtual visit’ (video call) with a friend or family member in one of our hospitals please contact the ward directly. Further information about this service is available here.
All wards have iPads specially set up to enable ‘virtual visits’ (video call) allowing patients to see and talk to the people who matter to them using FaceTime, Skype, Zoom or NHS Near Me.
Thank you so much for your cooperation. We look forward to continuing to welcome family members and friends where possible back into our hospitals to support patients.