Covid restrictions remain for now at North Hampshire hospitals

Some Covid-19 restrictions will remain in place at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, despite being eased nationally last Thursday.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust stated that the continuation of certain measures is necessary to ensure the safety of all patients, visitors and staff.

Under the rules, which were introduced from January 28 for an initial two-week period, visiting remains limited across the trust’s three hospital sites in Basingstoke, Andover and Winchester.

Visiting is still possible in exceptional circumstances, but approval must be given by the ward or department team before coming on site.

Visiting for patients at the end of their lives will continue, but visits must be agreed with the ward team directly.

Details for specific wards can be found on the trust’s website.

Visitors approved by the ward team must provide proof of a negative lateral flow test taken in the last 24 hours, and must wear a surgical face mask at all times.

Only one visitor per patient is permitted at any one time, and visits must be booked in advance by contacting the nurse in charge of the ward.

Guidance states unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as the patient being close to death, if visitors arrive without having first agreed a time and date with the nurse in charge of the ward, visitors will be asked to go home.

Visiting guidance will be reviewed at the end of the two-week period.