Patients at Lanarkshire hospitals were not told by staff about the recent change in visiting restrictions, it is claimed.
Last week NHS Lanarkshire announced they had reduced visiting to "essential only" due to a rise in COVID cases and continued pressure on the healthcare system.
However, it's understood patients in Lanarkshire hospitals were not aware of this and were left disappointed when visiting time came.
Now, Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon has criticised the health board for a lack of "proper communication" over something "so vital" for those from illness and confined to a hospital bed.
The Scottish Labour politician says constituents have gotten in touch over the issue after the changes came into play last Wednesday (March 9).
One woman said her dad, who is currently in Monklands Hospital, called her on Wednesday morning from hospital but had to be told by his daughter that he wasn't to get visitors that day.
The local man was left disappointed as he was expecting to see his wife at 3pm. The constituent also alleges the same thing happened at Wishaw General during lockdown.
Slamming the health board on a breakdown of communication, MSP Ms Lennon told Lanarkshire Live : “This is extremely bad on the part of NHS Lanarkshire, adding to the distress of patients and their loved ones.
“Removing and limiting people’s right to contact with their family is a serious step and should always be communicated clearly to all affected.
"After two years of COVID-19 it is worrying that restrictions are being brought in at a moment’s notice without proper communication.”
Eddie Docherty, Executive Nurse Director, said on the issue: “We communication our visiting restrictions through a number of channels including media, social media and staff providing up to date information to patients.
“We can only apologise if a patient was made aware of the changes to visiting by a family member before this had been communicated by staff.”
Visiting at all three of Lanarkshire’s acute hospitals was reduced to “essential only” last week amid a rise in the number of COVID cases.
The measure was first put in place at Wishaw General on the Saturday (March 5) and later replicated at Monklands and Hairmyres, meaning only in-patients “who would be distressed or suffer by not seeing a family member” would receive visitors.
At that time, health board officials said the decision was “very difficult” and “not taken lightly,” but stated: “We need to reduce the risk of COVID being passed to patients and staff in our hospitals.”
The position of visiting across all hospitals in Lanarkshire is understood to be reviewed on a daily basis.
Last week, NHS Lanarkshire nurse director Susan Friel said: “It’s our priority to protect our patients and staff as much as is possible and this is why we have made the difficult decision to limit visiting at this time.
“We recognise that essential visits – which only permit visits to patients where not seeing a family member would cause particular distress or suffering – is not ideal but this is necessary for the time being.
“As soon as it is safe to do so, we will be expanding visiting by prioritising access for those closest to the patient; we understand that patients in hospital are having a challenging time and want to have their family and friends around them for support.”
She added: “We hope everyone will understand that this decision has been made in the best interests of patients, other visitors and our staff."
Any visitors who are allowed in to the area’s healthcare facilities must take a lateral flow test and verbally confirm their negative result to ward staff, as well as wearing a face covering and using hand sanitiser and physical distancing.
Nobody with COVID symptoms or who is isolating following contact should attend for visits, while movement around hospital is to be be limited as far as possible and communal gatherings in public areas are to be avoided.
NHS Lanarkshire has been asked for a comment.
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