In a statement issued this afternoon (Monday 12th July), Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said visits will be suspended from today ‘until further notice’. The Trust says that visits to hospitals including Blackpool Victoria and Clifton in Lytham St Anne’s will be limited to patients receiving end of life care, those supporting a patient with dementia or a learning disability or visiting maternity and children’s wards.
A statement issued with the new visiting guidance said, ‘As Covid infection rates in the community continue to increase across Blackpool and the wider Fylde Coast, the Trust has suspended visiting today until further notice. To ensure patients are supported during their time in our hospitals, there are the following exceptions in place where visiting can continue:
- Where someone is receiving end of life care – up to four visitors will be welcome
- Carers supporting someone, for instance with dementia or a learning disability
- Visiting to maternity and children’s wards or services
All visitors will also be asked to follow robust infection prevention and control measures throughout their time on site. They will be asked to follow hand hygiene measures and will be given a Type II Fluid Resistant Mask, and to follow social distancing measures throughout.
