Wye Valley NHS Trust is pleased to be able extend visiting arrangements at its hospitals and lift the previous restrictions, which means that inpatients can now have visits from family and friends for longer periods.

Children and young people are welcome, although it is sensible to avoid bringing very young children into hospitals where possible and this needs to be discussed with ward staff in advance.

All non-urgent clinical activity stops during mealtimes to allow patients to eat their meals in a calm and relaxing environment without unnecessary interruption. Please avoid visiting at mealtimes unless you would like to help your relative or friend with their meal. 

The new arrangements, which come into place, Monday, October 17, apply to the general wards at Hereford County Hospital and the three community hospitals at Ross-on-Wye, Leominster and Bromyard. 

Patients and visitors are required to wear a face masks in most clinical areas at Trust sites – inpatient areas, bedded areas, Emergency areas (Emergency department, and Same Day Emergency Care). Masks do not need to be worn in outpatient areas.   

Lucy Flanagan, Chief Nursing Officer at the Trust, said: “We know how important it is for patients to be able to have visits from loved ones and friends during their hospital stay, and we’re very pleased that patients can now have extended visiting times.”

The updated visiting arrangements at the Trust’s hospitals are as follows, with the exception of the wards closures detailed below:

Visiting restrictions are available on the Trust’s website, visiting page - www.wyevalley.nhs.uk/about-us/our-performance/infection-prevention/coronavirus-public-health-england-advice/visiting-restrictions.aspx

Click HERE for the table of visiting times.

Ends

Notes to Editors WVT:

• Wye Valley NHS Trust is a provider of health services across Herefordshire and beyond. The Trust exists to improve the wellbeing, independence and health of the people we serve.
• By working closely with our partners, we can make good our promise to deliver a quality of care we would want for ourselves, our families and our friends.
• With an estimated annual turnover of around £295 million, we employ around 3,000 staff. We aim to build new relationships between our staff, patients, service users and their carers with the wider community.

For further information please contact:

Fiona Gurney/Amanda Millichip, communications officers, or John Burnett, Communication and Engagement Manager, Wye Valley NHS Trust: 01432 372928