NHS Tayside Hospital Visiting Arrangements Update

Following a change to hospital visiting guidance announced by Scottish Government, visitors should now take a lateral flow test and return a negative result before visiting anyone in hospital.  

With the new Omicron variant being more transmissible than the Delta variant, there are still strict infection prevention and control measures in place in our hospitals which are in place to keep our patients and staff safe.

Visiting will continue to be by appointment only and visitors should contact the ward Senior Charge Nurse/Midwife to arrange a time to visit. This will ensure that wards are not overcrowded and staff can make sure everyone is following the physical distancing rules.

There may be some circumstances where it is still not safe for a patient to have a visitor; if this is the case, we will tell you why and keep it under review where possible.

The following measures are in place to manage patient visiting safely:    

• Visitors should take a lateral flow test and return a negative result before visiting anyone in hospital.
• Patients in hospital can have no more than two visitors per person at any one time.
• Visitors should contact the ward to arrange an appointment time to visit and discuss the visiting process.
• No visit will be permitted if a visitor is unwell, has symptoms of COVID-19, or is currently in isolation.
• Visitors must maintain 1 metre physical distancing in all communal areas of the hospital
• Visitors must wear a fluid resistant face mask at all times. Masks are provided at our hospital entrances.
• Wash your hands frequently and use the alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Movement around the hospital must be limited as much as possible and any gathering in public areas of the hospital must be avoided.
• Visitors will not have access to staff dining areas.
• Public toilet facilities are open.
• Outpatient appointments should be attended alone, unless essential support is required.

Maternity and neonatal services visiting arrangements:

• All visitors should use an LFD test ahead of visiting and have received a negative result.
• Pregnant women may identify one support person to accompany them to all scans and antenatal appointments.
• Pregnant women may identify one birth partner to accompany them throughout labour and birth. A second birth partner may also attend – please speak to your midwife to arrange.
• All birth partners should use a LFD test prior to attending in labour and have received a negative result.
• Women may identify one support person to visit on the postnatal ward at any time.
• Any additional visitors are welcome to visit the postnatal ward between 1pm and 6pm with no more than two people per woman at any one time (includes essential birth partner).
• In neonatal units, both parents are welcome to be with baby at any time. Two additional visitors may be permitted to visit, following local risk assessment. Please speak to the neonatal nursing team to discuss arrangements.

If anyone has any questions about visiting arrangements they should speak to the nurse in charge of the ward.

Patients should continue to attend hospital for outpatient clinic appointments and for planned procedures. However, if you have an appointment at one of our clinics or departments, please attend alone.

The exception to this is for children and vulnerable adults, who can be accompanied by one essential person.