Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Tuesday 16°CWednesday 19°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
CoronavirusDerry CityHealthNews

New visiting arrangments for hospitals, hospices and care homes

written by cassoscoop May 4, 2021
ShareTweet

MORE visits will be allowed in hospitals, hospices and care homes in the North of Ireland from this Friday, May 7, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced.

Visits were suspended in health and social care settings in January after Northern Ireland saw a spike in Covid-19 cases after Christmas, however some end of life visits were still allowed.

The latest relaxations will see care home visits increase from one per week to two per week for two people at once and for up to one hour over a seven day period and after 5pm.

This will be reviewed after two weeks with a view to increasing to three people.

A booking system will be put in place for all visitors including evenings and weekends.

Children can also visit and the responsibility will rest with the adult for supervision to ensure they adhere to all safety measures.

Meanwhile, handwashing will replace use of gloves to enable handholding during care home visits but the wearing of aprons and masks will remain.

Residents can also resume trips out of the home and will not have to isolate on returning to their care setting.

The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, Eddie Lynch, said the new visiting guidance will safely permit increased visits between families, enabling care home residents to have more regular, meaningful face-to-face contact with their loved ones over the coming weeks and months.

“The importance of having frequent, personal contact with family and the impact this has on the health and wellbeing of older people, is well documented,” Mr Lynch said.

“I understand there will be some people who feel that the scale and pace of change is not quick enough, however I believe this pathway offers a balanced and measured approach where visitation rights are being increased at a pace proportionate to the level of risk.”

From Friday, hospital patients can have two visitors daily.

The relaxations will also apply to maternity wards, allowing birthing partners to be present during pregnancy scans, for the induction and duration of labour, at birth and for up to three hours afterwards.

Mr Swann said: “I fully recognise the importance of visiting for those who are receiving care.

“I hope this guidance will be widely welcomed.

“It is also important to remember that the threat from Covid-19 remains very real. Everyone has a vital role to play when it comes to safe visiting. That includes social distancing, hand hygiene and not visiting if you are feeling unwell yourself.”

He added: “Visiting was only ever restricted because it was absolutely necessary to do so to protect patients and residents from the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus and subsequent development of Covid-19 infection.

“Given the progress that has been made against the virus, the time is now right to take steps to carefully re-introduce visiting.”

To read the guidance in full visit: www.health-ni.gov.uk/Covid-19-visiting-guidance

New visiting arrangments for hospitals, hospices and care homes was last modified: May 4th, 2021 by cassoscoop

Tags:
care homesCommissioner for Older PeopleCoronavirusDerry CityEddie LynchHealth Minister Robin Swannhospiceshospices and care homeshospitalsNew visiting arrangments for hospitals
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Feile 2025 unveil biggest programme of events

6 hours ago

Loughs Agency delivers extensive fisheries improvement works...

7 hours ago

Alcohol Forum Ireland seeks Finance Administrator/Bookkeeper for...

1 day ago

Motorcyclist seriously injured in Donegal collision

2 days ago

Council officially adopts Local Development Plan, LDP...

2 days ago

Woman charged over serious assault in Derry

2 days ago

Second arrest made over 120 cannabis plant...

3 days ago

Charles Dooher murder bid: Man arrested in...

3 days ago

The LYCRA Company staff excited to continue...

3 days ago

Man arrested in Derry over murder bid...

4 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Woman charged over serious assault in Derry

    July 13, 2025
  • Man to face Derry court over cannabis plants seizure

    July 11, 2025
  • Man charged to court over Derry drugs seizure

    July 6, 2025
  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy