Coronavirus: updated guidance of visiting our hospice

As a country, we are slowly starting to see restrictions ease and as a result we are really pleased that this has enabled us to review our visitor guidelines. Patients will now be able to have two named visitors, unless they have dependent children or there is a Recognising Dying Form (RDF) in place (in which case, four visitors will be permitted, with no more than two visitors at a time). Children will be asked to enter and leave the hospice via patio doors directly into their parent’s bedroom to reduce the risk of infection.  We are unable to allow more named visitors than this as the risk increases significantly, for our patients, their visitors and for our own staff and volunteers.  

The hospice remains open for visitors 24 hours a day. To keep the risk of spread of infection to a minimum, all visitors will be temperature checked on arrival at main reception. Anyone with a high temperature signifying illness will not be able to enter the hospice.  We would kindly ask all visitors to wash their hands and/or use the hand sanitiser regularly while they are in our building.  Visitors to the Inpatient Unit (IPU) must wear a face mask. We ask all visitors to the IPU to wear a surgical face mask, which will be provided by the hospice. The mask must be worn before entering the IPU corridor. The mask should be kept on in the patient's room unless the patient or visitor have difficulties with communication. If you do take off your mask due to communication difficulties, then it should be put on again when a member of staff or volunteer enters the room, when you re-enter the IPU corridor and on your way out of the building.