St Mary’s Hospital is now turning away visitors from a number of inpatient wards due to a rise in positive COVID-19 patients being treated – a total of 9 as of yesterday.
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust says that these further safety measures, aimed at reducing the number of people entering the hospital, have been introduced to help protect patients, staff and the public.
However, the decision, which comes at a time when 90% of the country is vaccinated against COVID-19 with at least 1 shot, leaves elderly and vulnerable patients unable to see their loved ones.
The wards that are not able to welcome visitors at this time are:
- Appley
- Luccombe
- Colwell
- Short Stay Unit
- Acute Assessment Unit
- Intensive Care Unit
- St Helens
Chief Nurse, Mary Aubrey said:
“We are still very much living with this virus and the additional visitor restrictions are absolutely necessary to minimise the spread and help protect the most vulnerable in our care. Restricting visiting is not a decision we take lightly; patients look forward to visitors and contact with family is an important part of their recovery but we must continue to take this seriously and put the safety of our patients and our staff first.
“I know that it continues to be an unsettled time for us all, especially family and friends who will want to keep in touch with their loved ones whilst they are in hospital. If you do want to get a message, including photos to a family member you can contact our Patient Experience Team at [email protected] and they will ensure your message reaches them.
“All our staff are working incredibly hard to keep everyone safe. If you have a hospital appointment please attend alone unless in absolute exceptional circumstances. You will be asked to wear a mask before entering the building and to wait outside until it is time for your appointment if you arrive early. Please be respectful to our staff and do your bit by following the guidance when coming to your appointment. The measures we have put in place are for everyone’s safety and we really need your support to be able to continue caring for people in a safe way.”
Article continues below this advertisement
We are seeing a significant rise in positive COVID-19 patients being treated at St Mary's hospital therefore additional visitor restrictions have now been put in place in order to protect patients, staff and the public.
➡️ https://t.co/oTvKc8VchH pic.twitter.com/aOg57faMBr
— Isle of Wight NHS Trust (@IOWNHS) August 19, 2021
Here we go, the predicted rise of cases is happening as expected. Thank you holidaymakers and 2nd homeowners for bringing it with you, and also a big round of applause to Wightlink and Red Funnel for efforts made in bringing it back to the island. Now then, with the festival upcoming it is going to be wonderful to see the infrastructure collapse with the sheer weight of cases and lack of any sort of restrictions. Still our ever quiet MP and Giddings will be ok, hiding away in the mansions they call “home”
I expect those in the hospital with Covid at this present time are all hollibobbers
Never seen so many ignorant people as on the buses yesterday. Packed bus and hardly anyone wearing masks. Most of those who weren’t also were the loudest, so spreading their breath, and any germs, everywhere throughout the bus. It is terrifying. Not everyone can have the vaccine but still have to get their shopping, spare a thought for them.