COVID-19 patient information
Visiting during COVID-19
The health, safety and wellbeing of our patients, communities and individuals and teams remain our absolute priority.
We understand many of you will be eager to visit, but we need to ensure this is done safely, ensuring social distancing and other government advice is followed.
We will continue to review our visiting arrangements in line with national guidance and the local infection rates, so please be aware we may need to change this guidance at short notice.
We appreciate how hard it has been to keep in touch with loved ones who are in hospital with these restrictions in place. We’d like to thank you for your support and understanding during this difficult time.
We can confirm that from 16 September 2020, we will be changing our visiting restrictions:
Visits will be:
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Limited to one close family contact or somebody important to the patient.
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Up to one-hour duration up to three times per week
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Between the hours of 1:00pm- 7:00pm
*Except in exceptional circumstances as outlined on the final page of the leaflet below
How do I arrange a visit?
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Contact the ward to discuss appropriate arrangements
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You should contact by 12pm to arrange visits for the following day
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You will be asked some questions when you get in touch to decide if a visit can go ahead
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For information about visiting the Childrens’ Ward, please click here
You will not be able to arrange a visit if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.
Please read the information in this leaflet carefully
COVID Patient Information Leaflet -Visiting Guidance for relatives SEPT 20
PLEASE DO NOT TRAVEL TO THE HOSPITAL WITHOUT BOOKING A VISIT IN ADVANCE AS YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ENTER THE WARD.
Virtual Visiting
We are offering a virtual visiting service using iPads so you can virtually meet with your loved one. They will be supported with the visit by a member of our ward staff.
What do I need for a visit?
You need an email address, a Wi-Fi connection or mobile data and a smart device (Apple or Android) or PC/Laptop with webcam and microphone. Watch this short video for more information
How long are visits?
We’re suggesting 20-30 minutes for a visit.
Can more than one relative join a visit?
Yes but we do not suggest more than two people joining at once. You will both need to login to the waiting room on your separate devices.
How do I arrange a visit?
You should contact the ward directly to arrange your visit and they will discuss a mutually agreed time with you.
What do I need to do?
At the time agreed with the ward, you should click into one of the waiting rooms below. PLEASE ONLY CLICK THE LINK IF YOU HAVE PRE BOOKED A VISIT.
If you’re not familiar with the technology, test the link in advance of your visit to check it works.
For wards 9, 13, 14, 18, 19 and AAU, please use this link:
https://nhs.vc/virtual-visiting-for-families-carers-hot-wards
For wards 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 Neonatal and Maternity please use this link:
https://nhs.vc/virtual-visiting-for-families-and-carers
For Intensive Care Unit (ICU) please use this link:
https://nhs.vc/icu-virtual-visiting
I’m having problems, what should I do?
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Ensure you have allowed the website to access the camera and microphone on your device
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Ensure you have opened the link in Google, Google Chrome or Safari
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Our ward staff may have arranged a time with you but may be delayed, wait for up to 10 minutes and contact the ward if you are still waiting to be seen after this time
Pick up/drop off service
The Trust has set up a service for relatives so you can drop off a bag of personal belongings and if required, collect any laundry items from your loved one to take home with you.
We hope this service will help to make your loved one’s stay more comfortable in hospital and give you piece of mind that they have their own things available to them.
The service runs Monday to Friday 10am-4:00pm. If you need to drop off outside of these times, please contact the ward directly.
Click here for more information about booking for a pick up/ drop off
Pick up and drop off for patients and relatives 08-20
During this time, when families and friends are not able to visit their loved ones in hospital, we have set up a dedicated ‘Sending Hugs’ service so you can send your loved one get well wishes with a letter and a couple of photos.
We can also supply and send your loved one a greetings card with a message of your choice.
Our team of volunteers will deliver these to the wards.
Upon receipt of your request our team of volunteers will:
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print your letter and laminate any photographs OR
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print your e-card or hand write one
If you would like to make a request, please email virtualvisiting@anhst.nhs.uk attaching the letter and photographs.
You can design your card using this website. Once finished, email it to the above address we will print it off for you and send it to your loved one. https://www.greetingsisland.com/cards/thoughts-and-feelings/get-well
If you are not able to send us an email, please phone 07769 165466
You must provide your loved one’s (the patient’s) full name, date of birth and ward they are staying on.
There is no charge for any of our service, however any donations to the Care for Airedale campaign are greatly appreciated.
www.justgiving.com/campaign/careforairedale
Care Parcels
You can arrange to send a Care Parcel to your loved one during their hospital stay. The package is a small bundle of items to help your loved one to feel more comfortable during their time in hospital. A card will accompany each parcel and you can customise a short message.
We aim to deliver parcels within 24 hours.
Parcels contents may vary but can include the following items:
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Toothpaste
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Shower Gel and wash mit
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Dry shampoo
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Pen
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Magazine
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Wet wipes
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Tissues
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Fruit Sweets
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Emery Board
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Notecard and message
