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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Shaun Keenan

Western Trust eases Covid-19 restrictions for Altnagelvin, South West Acute and Omagh Hospital

The Western Trust has eased Covid-19 visiting rules in hospitals in Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh by increasing the number of people allowed to visit their loved ones.

The new guidance will now allow for two visitors to visit at the same time, for one hour per day, per patient from four nominated visitors.

The Northern Ireland trust said that e xceptions would continue to apply in some areas, but it's hoped that a move to a further ‘gradual easing’ of restrictions would continue during the next review on September 5.

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Speaking about other services in hospitals, the Western Trust said: "Maternity Services will now allow the birthing partner to visit twice daily, and in addition one visit from one other nominated visitor can attend on one of these visits.

"However, consideration will be given outside this in exceptional or individual circumstances. This will also need to be agreed with the midwife in charge.

"Where social distancing is possible, our Neonatal Units will allow both parents, or two nominated visitors to spend as much time with their baby as they wish.

"Parents may also visit together. To reduce risk, nominated visitors cannot be swapped or changed, to minimise the number of people with whom the baby has contact. We remain unable to extend visiting to grandparents at present unless in exceptional circumstances.

"Any child admitted to the Children’s Ward can be accompanied by two people (either/both parents or two nominated caregivers from up to two households), at all times for the duration of the stay.

"We would however ask that parents or other nominated visitors swap places (one person at a time at the bedside) to enable us to maintain effective social distancing.

"Cancer Services will remain unchanged. This is subject to local discretion in response to individualised risk assessment due to the vulnerability of the patients being cared for in these units."

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