Visiting restricted at Linconshire hospitals as Omicron fears grow

Pilgrim Hospital in Boston Credit: PA Images

Visiting arrangements are being tightened at hospitals in Lincolnshire from today (16 December) in response to the raised Covid threat level.

General visiting is being restricted with the exception of end of life patients, maternity, paediatrics and neonatal services. 

The United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust says the restrictions will help to restrict footfall within hospitals and wards, which will massively reduce the risk that Covid-19 - especially the Omicron variant - presents to patients who are vulnerable.

The decision comes after Chief Medical Officers raised the UK's Covid threat level to four on Sunday.

The trust says wards will be offering the opportunity for patients to speak to loved ones over Skype or FaceTime where possible.

The exceptions to the restrictions on visiting are:

Compassionate grounds

  • Visiting patients who are towards the end of life

  • Other exceptional circumstances for those who act as a carer and can support a patient’s recovery (for e.g. dementia, learning disabilities, autism, mental health)

Maternity

  • The maternity department can support one birthing partner to attend the birth and a partner to visit women and their baby either antenatal or postnatal

  • Visiting hours on maternity wards is 1pm-7pm

  • Children are still not able to attend the hospitals to visit patients at this time

  • Partners can attend all hospital maternity appointments

  • Women and partners are encouraged to perform lateral flow tests prior to appointments

Paediatrics and neonatal services

  • Parents who do not show the symptoms of infection can visit their children on children’s wards and neonatal units

  • Parents with a baby in neonatal care have access 24 hours a day. This includes overnight stays where accommodation allows

  • Any exceptions will be made on a case by case basis

The trust says the new rules will be reviewed on a regular basis.