Visits to all Morecambe Bay hospitals have immediately been stopped for at least two weeks due to rising coronavirus levels in the community although visits will still be allowed for children, patients with dementia and those receiving end of life care.
Senior management at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) said they had taken the decision following consultations with other local hospitals.
Sue Smith OBE, Executive Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive of UHMBT, announced that visits to Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Furness General Hospital in Barrow and Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal will still be allowed for children, patients with dementia and those receiving end of life care. A visitor is allowed if supporting a patient with dementia, a learning disability, autism, or something where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed.
Commenting about the visiting restrictions she said: “We know that visiting is extremely important for the recovery of patients, but we have to keep our patients and colleagues’ safety paramount."
“In agreement with other local hospitals, we regret the need to suspend the visiting arrangements we have in place for at least two weeks as we are seeing cases in our hospitals and the community rise."
The restriction came into force today (13th July) and will be reviewed in due course.


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