The York Teaching Hospitals Trust have released the following statement:
“As of Wednesday the 21st of October, after reviewing the guidance for visiting as set out by NHSE, the Trust has taken the difficult decision to suspend visiting to all of our sites, with immediate effect. We have taken this decision to limit the spread of Covid-19, to protect vulnerable patients and ensure staff safety. As soon as it possible to safely relax the visiting restrictions, we will do so.
Exemptions to this are: paediatric and maternity services and end of life care circumstances, at the ward manager’s discretion.
Please be assured we will always seek to apply the visiting guidance compassionately as required, for example: for patients with dementia and mental health issues – and that this decision is taken at ward level, unless on a Covid positive ward where visiting cannot take place.”
The trust went on to say that “at this time, family, friends and carers can stay in touch by using our virtual visiting service.”
Information on this can be obtained by ringing: 01904 724229 or by emailing: virtualvisiting@york.nhs.uk
