With effect from today (Monday 29 June), members of the public visiting an NHS Lanarkshire acute or community hospital, including those attending for an appointment, will be required to wear a face mask/covering. The main purpose of this measure is to seek to prevent the transmission of Coronavirus (Covid-19) from the person wearing the facemask.
Visitors to an acute hospital will be met at the entrance by a volunteer who will guide them on the process they have to follow. This will include:
- Keeping your own facial covering on if you wish. If you want to change it, you will be provided with a medical type I or type II mask. The volunteer will instruct you on how to put it on;
- Visitors will be advised to decontaminate their hands using hand sanitiser;
- Instructions will be given on the route to follow to your appointment;
- Information will be provided on where to dispose of your mask on leaving the facility.
If you do not have a mask or suitable facial covering one will be provided.
Face coverings should not be used for children under the age of five years.
If an appointment or visiting time is out-with normal hours, visitors should speak to the receptionist or nurse in charge of the department they are attending/visiting. Members of the public who are visiting a community hospital will be greeted at the door by a member of staff and support given accordingly.
For visitors, young children, people with breathing difficulties or specific medical conditions who may be unable to wear a face covering or mask, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and physical distancing measures must be reinforced and strictly adhered to. These are the most important and effective things we can all do to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Christina Coulombe, NHS Lanarkshire’s head of infection prevention and control, said: “NHS Lanarkshire wants to ensure that members of the public feel supported and guided on how to follow the new guidance. Our priority is to protect staff and visitors in these very difficult times.
“We are, and will continue, to be focussed on providing safe methods of working in line with national guidance.”
Visiting to hospitals remains restricted at this time, however, this situation may change in the near future.
