NORTHUMBRIA Healthcare is set to continue its suspension of non-essential visiting in its hospitals.

The suspension covers the trust's sites in Northumberland and North Tyneside, as part of efforts to further protect patients and staff.

The trust has issued a plea to the public to stick to the visiting rules to keep everyone safe.

Visiting is only permitted for:

  • For patients who are receiving end-of-life care or are terminally ill and in the late stages of their illness
  • For birthing partners in maternity units
  • For parents or legal guardians in the children’s unit
  • For long-stay patients and those with dementia or where best interest decisions or exceptional clinical/social matters are being discussed, at the discretion of the nurse in charge

Women can bring their birthing partners when attending 12 or 20-week scan appointments including all emergency assessments, all labour care and post-natal care until discharge ensuring they follow the strict guidelines in place in the post-natal area.

iPads will continue to be available on wards to facilitate ‘virtual’ visiting and friends and relatives will be able to stay connected to loved ones by ringing the trust’s patient line.

Marion Dickson, executive director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals at Northumbria Healthcare, said: “Our hospitals and staff are under a lot of pressure and we need the support of the public. Although it is an incredibly difficult decision to suspend visiting, this is the right thing to do to protect our patients, staff and those in the community.

“As nurses, we know the positive impact seeing and hearing from loved ones can have on a patient and we would urge families to make use of the methods we have in place to facilitate virtual visiting and staying connected.

“The last ten months have has been a long and tiresome road for everyone, but with the vaccines now being rolled out there is light at the end of the tunnel. But, we are still working hard to fight this awful virus and we all need to continue to be vigilant in following the rules. Our actions now will impact what happens over the coming weeks.”

The trust is also reminding people not to just turn up to A&E, but to stop and think about using the correct service for their health care needs. Think GP, pharmacy and NHS 111 online first.

Marion Dickson continued: “There has been tremendous support from our communities throughout this pandemic whilst we have had these visiting restrictions in place and we would appeal to them again for their co-operation at this challenging time.”