Altnagelvin Hospital stops all visits until further notice over Coronavirus rise
The move comes into immediate effect.
The Trust says it has taken the move because of the rise locally of Coronvairus cases the hospital is currently dealing with.
In statement, the Trust says: “Due to the continuing rise in COVID-19 cases in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area, we are suspending all visiting to our Altnagelvin Hospital from today, Wednesday, October 14, 2020, until further notice.”
The trust said some visits, with certain restrictions, can still be permitted in some circumstances.
Visiting is permitted for patients in end of life care, dementia patients and those with learning disabilities.
Pregnant women can also be accompanied by a nominated partner, children with one accompanied carer and vulnerable or elderly patients with communication difficulties.
The trust said anyone with symptoms should not visit a patient, and children are not permitted to visit.
The time and length of the visit for anyone visiting a patient in palliative or end-of-life care must be agreed in advance with the ward sister or charge nurse.
Visiting is also only permitted for patients with dementia or a learning disability, who would benefit from having a loved one at their bedside, for a short period of time.
Vulnerable or elderly patients with communication difficulties may also be accompanied by one person for the duration of their time in the emergency department.
Hospital admissions of patients with coronavirus in Derry have been “doubling every three to four days”, the Western Trust said on Tuesday.
Thirty-one patients are now being treated for Coronavirus at Altnagelvin – five people are in intensive care.
Two additional wards at Altnagelvin have been opened to treat coronavirus patients.
A third ward has been identified for further admissions, the trust said.
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