North Cumbria Integrated care NHS Foundation Trust is appealing for understanding from the public as staff continue to deal with a huge demand on services and virus outbreaks across sites.
Visiting across all inpatient units remains by appointment only however due to outbreaks of coronavirus and norovirus. We have had to close a number of wards to visiting while we manage the outbreaks.
Nicola O’Reilly, infection prevention matron said:
“When we have an outbreak of any kind on our wards it is normal practice, to suspend visiting to that ward to stop the virus spreading to other staff, patients and visitors. Our priority is to keep patients and staff as safe as possible.”
“We understand that not being able to visit relatives and loved ones is extremely difficult, but we urge the public to please be understanding and kind to our staff when we explain that visiting is suspended for the ward you would like to visit.”
Georgia Wright deputy chief nurse explained:
“We are genuinely sorry whenever we need to suspend visiting to any ward because we know how much this means to our patients. Visits from friends and family boost morale and can help speed up recovery. However, we must ensure we do all we can to stop the spread of an outbreak.
“If you call the ward expecting to make a visiting appointment please be understanding for those wards where we have had to suspend visiting. We take outbreaks exceptionally seriously, and will do all we can to contain, manage and bring the outbreak to a close as quickly as we can so we can reinstate visiting appointments.”
The wards currently closed for visiting are:
|
Cumberland Infirmary |
West Cumberland Hospital |
Community hospitals |
|
Elm A Larch A Beech C Willow A Willow B Willow C Maple A Maple B Maple C Maple D |
Ward 3 Ward 2 Ward 4a |
Keswick Hospital |
The public are also reminded of the steps that they should take when visiting any of our sites for an appointment or visiting.
- Please take a lateral flow test before attending an appointment or visiting. You may be asked to show a negative lateral flow result when you arrive.
- Facemasks should be worn by everyone on site – unless you are exempt.
- Please maintain social distance of 2m
- Come to your appointment on your own or with one other person
- Visiting is only by appointment made directly with the ward, however please be aware that visiting may be suspended at short notice if an outbreak occurs.
We also need to remind people that our A&E departments are extremely busy. As always, we prioritise those whose needs are most urgent. If you attend for something that is not urgent you may be waiting some time.
Please do your bit to make sure your access the right service. We advise everyone to go online to 111.nhs.uk to get advice on which service is most appropriate for your needs.