Visiting is currently suspended on Frome Ward due to a small number of cases of COVID-19, unless in exceptional circumstances – please speak to the nurse in charge (16/3/22)
This page has been updated on 16/3/22 regarding ward closure – see table below.
Wye Valley NHS Trust has eased visiting arrangements further at its hospitals (on 23/2/22) which means that inpatients can now have one daily visit from a family member or friend from the first day of their hospital stay.
The visitor must be aged 16 or over and it can be a different visitor each day – patients no longer need to nominate a single visitor.
All visits must be arranged in advance with the nurse in charge so that social distancing can be maintained. Although social distancing has been eased in public spaces, it is still in force across NHS premises – so the Trust has extended visiting times to give more flexibility while allowing it to maintain social distancing.
The new arrangements apply to the general wards at Hereford County Hospital and the three community hospitals at Ross-on-Wye, Leominster and Bromyard.
- any visit must be booked with the nurse in charge first and visitors must wear a surgical mask and maintain good hand hygiene.
- Patients will also be required to wear a surgical mask during the visit if clinically appropriate.
- Children under the age of 16 are not allowed to visit, unless they are attending in a caring capacity. However, a parent with babes-in-arms (up to one year of age), who is visiting one of the areas below, in line with the visiting restrictions in place, will be supported to do so.
- Importantly, anyone with a COVID positive test or showing symptoms of coronavirus, or if they feel unwell with another illness, must not visit our hospitals or wards, even if these symptoms are mild or intermittent, due to the risk they pose to others.
- We will continue to require that visitors undertake a lateral flow test and have a negative result prior to visiting. If visitors have a positive lateral flow test result, a positive COVID test or are showing symptoms of coronavirus and feel unwell, they must not visit our hospitals or wards.
The updated visiting arrangements at the Trust’s hospitals are:
| Location | Restrictions |
| Paediatrics – County Hospital | Parents or carers can be present at all times and coronavirus testing is in place as per local policy. Both parents can visit but not at the same time due to social distancing. Siblings are not permitted other than in exceptional circumstances |
| Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) –County Hospital | Parents can be present at all times and coronavirus testing is in place as per local policy. Siblings are not permitted other than in exceptional circumstances |
| Maternity – County Hospital | 2 birth partners can attend delivery suite throughout the stay1 birth partner can attend triage for labour assessment1 birth partner can attend for Induction of labour process (although restrictions may exist and booking slots may need to be agreed with midwife in charge) On the maternity ward: The nominated support person will need to undergo twice weekly Covid testing They should not attend if they have Covid symptoms Partners can visit once per day during the period 9am to 9pm, this must be arranged with the midwife in charge as not all partners can be present at once due to social distancing measures |
| Outbreaks | In the event a ward has an outbreak, it will be closed to visitors for a short period of time. This will be publicised on our website and relatives/visitors will also be notified of this by the nurse in charge. Virtual visiting would be available in these circumstances Special provision would be made for end of life or other compassionate grounds |
| Frome Ward | Visiting is currently suspended due to a small number of cases of COVID-19, unless in exceptional circumstances – please speak to the nurse in charge (16/3/22) |
| County Hospital: Acute Medical Unit, Redbrook Ward, Orthopaedic unit, Teme Ward, Wye Ward, Lugg Ward, CCU Ward, Arrow Ward and Gilwern Assessment Unit Women’s Health Ward Ashgrove Ward, Dinmore Ward and Garway Ward | A daily visit is permitted for patients staying in hospital from the first day of their stayPatients can only have a single visitor at any one time but may have a different visitor on each occasionAll visits must be booked by prior appointment with the nurse in chargeVisiting hours daily from 2pm-5pm and 7pm-8pm |
| Intensive Care Unit | The nurse in charge of the patient’s care will undertake a risk assessment and make a decision on a case by case basis |
| Emergency Department | There are no specific visiting times – patients in ED can be escorted by one relative/carer while they receive treatment in the department |
| Community hospitals | |
| Leominster | A daily visit is permitted for patients staying in hospital from the first day of their stay. Patients can only have a single visitor at any one time, but may have different visitors on each occasion. All visits must be booked by prior arrangement with the nurse in charge |
| Bromyard | A daily visit is permitted for patients staying in hospital from the first day of their stay. Patients can only have a single visitor at any one time, but may have different visitors on each occasion. All visits must be booked by prior arrangement with the nurse in charge |
| Ross on Wye | A daily visit is permitted for patients staying in hospital from the first day of their stay. Patients can only have a single visitor at any one time, but may have different visitors on each occasion. All visits must be booked by prior arrangement with the nurse in charge |
