Hospitals reopen their doors to visitors

In-patient visiting is to be re-introduced at the Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal Hospitals from today (Tuesday), after it was previously suspended in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Visitors will be asked to continue to help restrict the spread of the virus by following some key requirements, including wearing face masks and observing social distancing when in the hospitals. 

Throughout the pandemic, and in line with national guidelines, The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), which runs the county’s two acute hospitals, has needed to restrict visiting to adult wards to just compassionate visiting and for those patients with specific needs. 

This will now change from today, with all adult in-patients allowed one visitor per day, as well as continuing to provide the additional flexibility and support needed for compassionate visiting. Separate arrangements remain in place for Critical Care, Maternity, Children’s wards, and the Neonatal Unit. 

Covid-19 numbers in the hospitals remain at significant levels and – in order to protect those being cared for, visitors, and staff – visitors will be asked to not attend if they are Covid-19 positive, are showing relevant symptoms, or have been in contact with someone who is Covid-19 positive.

Hayley Flavell, Director of Nursing at SaTH, said: “Covid-19 remains a very real issue for us, and the wider health system, and we ask that people continue to help us help our patients by following the new guidelines in place.”

The visiting arrangements and remaining restrictions will be kept under constant review in line with national guidelines.