Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust can confirm that visiting restrictions have been relaxed further on our adult inpatient wards and our neonatal wards.
The Trust recognises and values the contribution that visiting provides to our patients’ wellbeing and recovery but also has to ensure that any changes implemented are done so in the safest way possible.
We have to be extremely careful about our visiting restrictions, especially when there might be higher incidences of COVID-19 cases locally. As such, it is important to note that this further relaxing of restrictions could change at short notice if it becomes unsafe to continue. We do still need to be mindful that COVID-19 is still with us and there are precautions that we still need to adhere to, to not only protect patients but to also protect our staff, keep them well so they can continue to provide safe and essential quality patient care.
General Adult Inpatient Wards
Two visitors now allowed to visit for up to 6hrs per day. The following principles apply:
- Two visitors are welcomed between 2pm and 8pm daily
- There is no need to pre-book a time slot or restrictions on the length of time that visitors can stay within the 6hrs period
- The nurse in charge will have the right to reduce this to one visitor at a time when required to avoid overcrowding
- Children under 16 years old will not be able to accompany an adult visiting on the adult wards
- Visitors who are COVID-19 positive or who have a positive household contact will not be allowed to visit
- Facemasks will need to be worn at all times for the duration of your visit on the ward and when inside any other ‘Facemask Wearing Zones’ in the hospital
- Our ward staff will support all visitors by providing instructions on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Neonatal Wards
Siblings and extended family members are welcomed back to our neonatal wards to visit. The following principles apply:
- Only two visitors per baby at their cot at a time. One visitor has to be the parent/guardian but the other can now be a sibling or family member
- Visiting hours are between 12pm and 8pm daily
- Two parents/guardians can still stay overnight with their baby/babies
- Visitors who are COVID-19 positive or who have a positive household contact will not be allowed to visit
- Facemasks will need to be worn at all times for the duration of your visit on the ward and when inside any other ‘Facemask Wearing Zones’ in the hospital
- Our ward staff will support all visitors by providing instructions on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Separate visiting guidance for maternity and paediatric wards can be found under the visiting section.