ALTHOUGH many hospitals have completely opened up after the Covid-19 pandemic, some in the North East are still not allowing visitors into some wards.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, visiting family members in the hospital was extremely limited, and sometimes impossible, due to safety concerns.
However, in recent months, hospitals have gradually begun opening up, allowing people to visit family again.
Some hospitals require you to book a time slot, or only allow visiting during a set period of time and only allow visiting from a nominated family member.
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But, some hospitals are still not allowing visitors at all if that person is on a specific ward.
These are the North East hospitals not allowing visitors on certain wards:
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust:
- Darlington Memorial Hospital
- University Hospital of North Durham
- Bishop Auckland Hospital
- Chester-le-Street Community Hospital
- Shotley Bridge Community Hospital
- Sedgefield Community Hospital
- Richard Hospital
- Weardale Community Hospital
All hospitals under County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust are currently allowing a maximum of two visitors, together, for up to one hour to most wards.
They no longer ask patients to nominate their visitors meaning they can be visited by anyone they choose.
They do ask that visitors make an appointment with the ward clerk, however.
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However, some wards and departments are not allowing visitors at all and these include:
- ITU (Intensive Therapy Unit)
- Emergency Departments
- Acute Medical Units
- Covid wards
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust:
- University Hospital of North Tees
- University Hospital of Hartlepool
Hospitals under the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are also mostly allowing visitors during set times.
However, only two visitors are allowed at a bedside at any one time and all of the usual hospital etiquette applies, such as not making too much noise or sitting on the hospital bed.
Despite this, some wards are not allowing any visitors at all, much like County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.
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These wards consist of:
- Ward 10 (Surgery/urology)
- Ward 12 (Rutherford Morrison – surgery)
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust:
- The James Cook University Hospital
- Friarage Hospital
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is currently allowing visitors and follows similar rules to the other trusts, such as up to two visitors at a time for one hour each day.
You must also book visiting slots in advance through the relevant hospital ward.
Visiting times are not available on their website and it does not say whether some wards are not allowing visitors.
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