Kensington and Chelsea hospitals to allow only one visitor per patient in bid to halt spread of coronavirus
By Owen Sheppard, Local Democracy Reporter
Hospitals in Kensington and Chelsea are placing limits on the number of people who can visit patients on wards, in a bid to tackle the spread of coronavirus.
As of Sunday there were 40 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the borough, higher than anywhere else in the capital.
Chiefs at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital announced on Thursday of last week that one “essential visitor” will be allowed per patient as a “temporary” measure.
Royal Brompton Hospital in Chelsea is limiting visitor numbers whilst making arrangements to postpone some outpatient appointments or replace them with telephone consultations.
The statement from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “As of today only one essential visitor will be allowed per patient, for example a parent or carer of a child, or main carer. Similar restrictions are being implemented across London.
“In addition, only one person will be allowed per patient visiting the emergency departments.
“All visitors are requested to ensure they gel their hands as they enter the hospitals and clinical areas and be mindful of coming in if they are unwell or have cold or flu-like symptoms, for the protection of the more vulnerable or those with underlying health conditions.”
A statement from Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust said: “To help prevent the spread of coronavirus, your outpatient appointment may be replaced with a telephone consultation or postponed to a later date. If this is the case, we will let you know by phone, text message or post, so please make sure you check your usual method of communication with us.
“The decision to delay or use telephone or video appointments is being made by the clinical team involved in your care.”
It added: “Only one essential visitor will be allowed per patient across all adult and children’s wards at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals.”
As of yesterday the number of cases in the UK had passed the 1,500 mark, with a new total of 1,543 positive tests, up 171 from Sunday.
For more information about the virus click here.
Top: The Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
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