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Rules will remain in Healthcare settings from Monday
16/07/2021
Patients have been receiving messages to remind them the virus is still around and the healthcare system must be protected
Covid restrictions are set to end in many places from Monday but we are being reminded this is not the case in our local hospitals and health centres.
A number of local surgeries have been sending messages to their patients to remind them face coverings must still be worn when visiting.
A message from the Deddington Health Centre team says that in addition to the requirement to continue wearing facemasks and not visiting if you have Covid symptoms, they will “continue with our ‘Telephone First’ model of consulting, converting to a face to face appointment if we feel it’s necessary having spoken to you. This is to enable us to maintain 2 metre physical distancing in the building.”
At Banbury Cross Health Centre face coverings, social distancing and hand hygiene are all noted as continuing requirements. The centre says: “COVID-19 infection rates are rising which means it’s vitally important we don’t let our guard down against the virus. The virus has not gone away and wearing a face covering is an effective way of reducing transmission. It’s also really important that anyone who is eligible for a vaccine and hasn’t yet come forward does so without delay.
“We appreciate it can be frustrating but it’s important to understand we do see some very sick and vulnerable patients in the practice, some of whom are not able to have the COVID-19 vaccination due to their conditions. By continuing to take reasonable and sensible measures against the virus we are helping to protect the most vulnerable in our communities and providing patients with greater reassurance.”
At the Horton General Hospital NHS visitor guidance will stay in place with no immediate changes to the current COVID-secure arrangements. This means all staff, patients and visitors must continue to follow guidelines, including wearing a face covering and complying with social distancing and hand hygiene guidance. Visiting restrictions will remain in place.
Professor Meghana Pandit, Chief Medical Officer at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “In our hospitals we care for the sickest and most vulnerable patients, and we must do everything possible to keep them safe. Even if you have had two vaccinations, you can still carry and pass on COVID-19 to others. We are therefore asking visitors and patients coming to our hospitals to continue to follow the guidelines, wear a face covering, follow social distancing guidance and use good hand hygiene.
“When someone brings a community acquired COVID-19 infection into the hospital, they could affect other patients, visitors and our staff. For some of our patients a COVID-19 infection could be fatal, or severely delay their treatment for other diseases/procedures.
“We also have to protect our staff. If ward staff have to isolate, then we may have to postpone appointments or planned operations. And finally, we need to protect our visitors who are so important for our patients’ wellbeing. If a visitor or the patient that they are visiting tests positive for COVID-19, then visits are no longer possible.”
Dr Karl Marlowe, Chief Medical Officer for Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, added: “The evidence quite clearly shows that COVID infection rates in Oxfordshire are a great cause for concern and that our health services must continue to exercise extreme caution. Nationally the number of hospital admissions with COVID-19 is rising.
“We have a duty of care to do all that we can to keep our patients, service users and staff as safe as possible. In our community hospitals, mental health wards and in the community, our clinical teams are caring for people with complex conditions that make them vulnerable to infection. Please continue to wear a mask, maintain social distancing and observe hand hygiene if you are visiting any of our sites, to maintain a Covid secure NHS.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam