Press release – 18 March 2020
2020/005

Visiting restrictions in place at hospitals in Herefordshire and change to Public Board Meeting arrangements

Wye Valley NHS Trust has taken the precautionary decision to restrict visiting times in its hospitals across Herefordshire and temporarily stopped attendance at its Public Board Meetings, as part of its response to Coronavirus. 

These restrictions are in place as part of the Trusts infection prevention measures to lessen the chance of spread of Coronavirus to both patients and visitors and other areas of the hospital.  

The Trusts Board meetings will continue to be held monthly.  However, the public are not permitted to attend these meetings during this period.  Members of the public can continue to submit questions to the Board prior to the meeting and details can found by visiting www.wyevalley.nhs.uk (About Us, Trust Board).

The following hospital ward visiting restrictions are in place: 

• General wards at Hereford County Hospital, Bromyard, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye Community Hospitals, visiting hours are now restricted to 1pm to 7pm, daily, as follows:

-        Only one visitor is allowed per patient (maximum of two visitors a day). 

-        Children under 16 should not visit Hereford County Hospital.

-        Visitors over the age of 70, particularly those with long term health conditions, should think carefully before visiting the hospital.

• Children’s ward, Hereford County Hospital, only one visitor is allowed at any one time.  However, the hours are not restricted.
• Special Care Baby Unit only, parents can visit anytime and the hours are not restricted.
• Maternity, patients can have one birthing partner present on the delivery suite.  The maternity ward will enable visiting of a maximum of one person at one time and up to a maximum of two per day – the hours are not restricted.

Where a patient is critically ill, these restrictions can be relaxed in order to allow family and friends time with their loved ones.  This should be agreed with the nurse in charge.

People should also not visit our hospital if they have the following symptoms and should follow the latest advice from Public Health England for self-isolation:

• A fever

• A cough

• Shortness of breath

• Diarrhoea

• Vomiting

For advice from Public Health England visit www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public#what-to-do-if-you-have-symptoms
 

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