Inappropriate behaviour in and around Ayrshire Maternity Unit has been blasted as healthcare bosses look to crackdown on unseemly conduct.
Officials at the Crosshouse Hospital facility have reported people smoking outside the main entrance of the maternity unit and visitors verbally abusing staff when reminded of the need to wear masks at the facility.
In addition, NHS Ayrshire & Arran health chiefs say visitors are arriving at wards with children that don't belong to the person in hospital.
While wearing a mask has been relaxed almost everywhere, healthcare settings have retained the guidance.
In particular, Ayrshire Maternity Unit has the rule in place for immunity vulnerable women and babies that are inpatients for treatment and require medical support.
A post from the NHS Ayrshire And Arran Women and Children’s Service Facebook page reads: "We are increasingly experiencing inappropriate visiting requests and behaviour by visitors in our ward settings.
"Examples of this are:
- Visitors are arriving with children that are not children of the person they are visiting,
- Designated visitors swapping at the ward doors with multiple visitors arriving at the same time,
- Extending visiting slots without prior agreement,
- Not wearing a mask when entering the hospital building,
- Smoking outside the main entrance.
- When reminded of our visiting guidance including wearing of masks, our staff are being subjected to aggressive verbal abuse.
"Can we please advise you to remind your visitors to adhere to our complete visiting guidance.
- Masks are to be worn in NHS clinical settings.
- No smoking on NHS properties
- Visiting of children is pre arranged and only for children who are visiting their mother.
- Multiple visitors will not be permitted to visit at the same time.
- The Maximum number of visitors permitted per patient per day is 2 for 2 hours.
- Birth Partner can visit in addition from 10am to 8pm
- This number includes the patients own child with an adult.
"We have immunity vulnerable women and babies that are inpatients for treatment and require medical support. Covid 19 pandemic still remains prevalent along with seasonal infections. We are asking for your support to protect our mums and babies."
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
