Update on our visiting guidance

As you may know, visiting arrangements in hospitals across England have been restricted during the pandemic to reduce the risk Covid-19 poses to vulnerable patients, and staff keeping health services running for those who need NHS care. At University Hospitals Dorset, in line with the latest national advice, our visiting guidance for the public has now been updated to include the following:

·A maximum of two visitors are now allowed at any one time, and may stay longer than one hour. Patients may have more than one such visit per day, which can be by different visitors. Visits should continue to be pre-arranged with the ward

·Anyone showing any signs of Covid-19, or who are unwell, should not visit

·Visitor PPE requirements remain unchanged

·Compassionate visiting and ward/clinical team discretion must be balanced with the related IPC risks, and must focus on the patient’s/visitor’s wellbeing

·Patients in our emergency departments may be accompanied by one other person at the discretion of the department (including one parent if the patient is a child)

·This guidance will continue to be kept under regular review.