Restricted visiting at Devon's hospitals

It's to try and protect patients from coronavirus.

They include only one visitor at a time per bed and no children.

Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus or who has been in contact with a case should stay away.

Restrictions have already been put in place for visitors to Derriford Hospital at Plymouth and the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital at Exeter.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust says the new arrangements are “part of our continued actions to protect the community regarding COVID-19”.

The trust said in a statement issued on Sunday, March 15: “The arrangements below are to help us protect our patients and staff, by reducing both the number of people coming to our hospitals and the risk of spreading the virus:

• only one visitor at a time per bed
• do not visit at all if you have a high temperature or dry cough or similar symptoms, or have been in contact with someone who has coronavirus
• we advise that children under the age of 16 do not attend hospital to visit a family member/loved one
• make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before and after visiting, and/or use hand gel where available
• for Forrest ward (01803 655507), and EAU3 (01803 654035), please phone in advance to agree visiting arrangements

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your help in ensuring we can continue to run services safely.”

Figures released at the weekend by Public Health England showed 14 more people had died in the UK after testing positive for the virus, bringing total deaths to 35. There had been a total of 1,372 positive tests for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Sunday, up from 1,140 at the same time on Saturday, the Department of Health said.

According to the latest reported figures at the weekend, there were seven confirmed cases in Torbay, two in Plymouth and 13 in the rest of Devon.

A statement on the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust website on Monday, March 16, said: “The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases and have put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal. 

“Patients and staff can be reassured that their safety is our top priority. We are planning for the predicted increase in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) cases, but our services are still operating as usual: please attend your hospital and clinic appointments unless you are unwell.”

The trust has issued the latest advice following the announcement by the Chief Medical that the council moved into the ‘Delay’ stage of the response to coronavirus on Friday, March 13.

The new advice issued by the Chief Medical Officer is as follows:

Stay at home for 7 days if you have either:

• a high temperature
• a new continuous cough

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• your condition gets worse
• your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

Stay at home advice can be found here.

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

More information can be found on the NHS website.