Statement on Welsh Government's updated guidance on hospital visiting

Mandy Rayani, Director of Nursing Quality & Patient Experience said: “The Welsh Government has updated its guidance about hospital visiting across NHS Wales during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, which includes people accompanying patients to appointments such as scans. Before we can lift our current visiting restrictions, we must ensure that we can maintain social distancing to keep everyone as safe as possible. We are already working hard to put in place the new arrangements outlined in the guidance appropriately and safely, however, these will not be fully in place by Monday 20 July as each department across the health board has to undertake individual risk assessments. 

“We wish to reassure people that we are working on this as a matter of urgency and will introduce these changes in a phased way over the coming weeks. In the meantime, we are asking women to continue to attend their scheduled appointments alone as unfortunately we cannot yet allow partners or nominated others to attend with them. Women with specific needs are advised to contact the antenatal clinic via the hospital switchboard.

“We appreciate that it is a difficult time for everyone and we will continue to support the well-being of our patients/service users and their families and loved ones in the best way we can. Thank you for your ongoing patience, understanding and co-operation during this time.”