Hospital Visiting Guidance
Hospital Visiting Guidance Updated 7th December 2022
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board continue to review guidance for hospital visiting. Our aim is to ensure patient and visitor wellbeing is at the forefront while keeping patients safe from harm.
Exceptions may occur in the areas below. Visitors to link with wards specifically:
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Children
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Maternity
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Patients with learning disabilities or cognitive impairment
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Designated carers
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Patients who cannot make decisions for themselves
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End of life care
General visiting guidance:
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A patient can have a maximum of 2 people at their bedside per visit for up to an hour duration. Multiple visits can take place between the hours of 8:00am - 8:00pm, however visitors are discouraged from gathering in large groups in ward corridors.
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Visitors will be expected to complete a screening questionnaire before entering the ward either via a QR code (see below) or paper copy available at the ward entrance.
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Visitors not to visit if they feel unwell
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Visits will not be possible to areas closed due to an infection outbreak, other than in exceptional circumstances (agreed by the ward staff).
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Clean/sanitise hands on entering and leaving the hospital and ward.
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It is advisable for visitors to wear a face covering, however, this is optional.
Covid Outbreak Wards or Positive Inpatients
It is recognised that guidance cannot foresee all requests for visiting nor all patient circumstances. Visits to patients who have Covid-19 or who are currently in isolation due to contact with Covid-19 may occur in exceptional circumstances, as agreed with the ward staff. Therefore, a local risk assessment based on the patient or visitor’s wellbeing offsets the infection control risks and any other practical difficulties in facilitating access.
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Visitors must be aware of the risks of COVID transmission and advised of infection control measures in place including the use of any PPE required during their visit.
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The pandemic has recognised that visitors from the same household are often symptomatic too. In end of life or in exceptional situations the Infection Prevention & Control (IP&C) team can advise on how such individuals can safely visit a patient.
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Patients who are in the end phase of life who are diagnosed with Covid may receive visitors during their last hours of life.
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Visitors with underlying health conditions, or who were previously shielding, should be advised of the significant risks to themselves to visiting.
Outpatients
Patients attending one of our hospitals for an outpatient appointment may have a maximum of two persons accompany them if required.
Visiting A&E or an Assessment Department
If you wish to you may bring one person with you. At busy times, we may ask that the person accompanying you temporarily wait elsewhere if there are space constraints in the department.
We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during what we know have been extremely difficult times for patients and their loved ones. All decisions have been taken in the best interests of the people we care for, the people who work in and visit our facilities, and the community we serve. Our visiting and appointment arrangements stay under regular review.
Keeping everyone as safe as possible remains our priority.
