Patients and visitors at St Mary’s Hospital and other Island healthcare settings will still be required to wear face coverings and to socially distance from today (Monday), despite all legal restrictions having been lifted.
NHS leaders have explained that whilst restrictions are being lifted in most public places, strict infection control needs to be followed in hospitals and healthcare settings, to stop vulnerable people and staff from being placed at additional risk.
It’s known that legally cases and deaths remain incredibly low, with ventilation beds not utilised at St Mary’s in over 10 weeks.
Mary Aubrey, Chief Nurse (pictured) has said:
“The community have been so supportive since the pandemic began and we thank each and every person for the changes they have made to their lives to protect each other and our services.
“As restrictions outside of care settings change, we ask people to keep supporting us so that we can keep vulnerable patients safe. If you are attending an appointment or coming to our hospital or other sites for support or treatment, you will still be required to wear a face covering and adhere to social distancing and using hand sanitiser.
“We know that restricted visiting is particularly hard and we review this regularly so that we can welcome visitors as soon as possible. Covid is still at a higher rate in the local community than we would like and until infection rates come down, every visitor increases the risk of infection.”
In addition to keeping vulnerable patients and staff safe as COVID-19 cases rise, the measures will support the continued delivery of services, reducing the opportunity of staff having to self-isolate.
Mary continued:
“If you or your loved one were in our care and in a vulnerable position, you would want us to do everything we should be doing to ensure you had a quick and safe recovery. Everyday we are treating people with compromised immune systems, so it’s important we keep the rules in place for longer, which is also the requirement from the UK Government and NHS England. Please bear with us and please keep helping us so we can provide high quality and safe care.”
Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS England said:
“It is vital that in healthcare settings, we do all we can to reduce the risk of infection for those working in our services and those who need our care.
“Face coverings and social distancing measures will remain in place across healthcare settings so that the most vulnerable people can continue to safely attend hospital, their GP surgery, pharmacy or any other healthcare settings for advice, care and treatment.
“As restrictions are lifted in many places on Monday everyone has a part to play in helping to control Covid by getting vaccinated and acting responsibly”.
A very sensible decision if you ask me. – No doubt this will get voted down by the “usual ” idiots!
This should apply to the buses and small shops too… seeing as restrictions are apparently ok to lift, small shop staff should be protected.
Totally agree. Excellent decision. Well done. Obvious to those who care about others and are not stupid and selfish.
Should apply everywhere, especially on public transport and in shops.
Totally agree with you. – “Covid” Vectis should be somehow made to follow the example of all of the ferry companies.
Scotland have made it mandatory ,so why can’t Boris.????
I will continue to Respect shop worker’s bus drivers etc ,common courtesy some people are very anxious and we should Respect everybody’s feelings.
If we truly want freedom slow and steady will win the race……