With the number of Covid-19 cases once again on the rise in Wales, hospitals across the country are taking steps to try and limit the number of infections and to protect patients, staff and visitors. Wales has seven health boards in total and each is monitoring the situation, with around one in 20 people currently suffering from the virus.
This is a higher rate per head than across the border in England. The latest Office for National Statistics figures, released last week and covering the period between June 24 and June 30, reveal that an estimated 149,700 people had Covid during that time in Wales alone - a big jump in cases compared to previous weeks. You can get the latest WalesOnline newsletters e-mailed to you directly for free by signing up here.
With these figures in mind, Wales' Chief Medical Officer Dr Frank Atherton said last week that the country is seeing a “resurgence” of Covid cases in communities which could be particularly dangerous for those with waning immunity who have not had their spring booster. You can read the full interview with Mr Atherton, where he discusses the possibility of reintroducing restrictions in future, here.
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As cases continue to rise, many hospitals are taking action in an attempt to restrict further spread of the virus. Below is the current situation in each health board area with regards to visitors, after every hospital in Wales confirmed last week that they would be asking people to once again wear masks inside each site.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Visiting is allowed at hospitals in the region, but there are guidelines in place. A spokeswoman for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: “The prevalence of Covid-19 in our communities has significantly increased over the last few weeks and this is also reflective of the case nationally. As a result, we have issued updated guidance to our healthcare staff and visitors that face coverings are now required to be worn in all of our settings unless medically exempt.
“In order to maintain our visiting against the backdrop of raising Covid-19 cases, the health board has introduced the following restrictions:
- All visitors must wear face coverings for the visit and whilst on our hospital sites, unless exempt;
- Visitors must not visit if they are feeling unwell or if they have been in contact with someone who is unwell;
- Every patient can have one visit per day for a maximum of one hour with two visitors. These visits must be booked directly with the ward, and where possible the same visitor/s should attend for each visit.
“We continue to monitor the prevalence of Covid-19 within the health board and will respond proportionately to the situation. Our health and social care services are experiencing significant and sustained pressures. While we are under these extreme pressures, we would ask the public that if they do have an urgent, non-life-threatening emergency, to call NHS 111 Wales free from a mobile or landline.
"By doing so, a call handler will assess your condition and, if appropriate, a clinician from CAV 24/7 will call you back for further assessment and access to urgent care. This is to ensure we can assess and direct patients to services appropriately, helping to reduce pressure on the system and ensuring we can support those most in need.”
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
At all hospitals in this region, general visiting will be between the hours of 8am-8pm for up to an hour in duration. However, visitors must not visit if they feel unwell and are experiencing generic symptoms associated with Covid-19, and each patient can only have a maximum of two visitors.
Visits will not be possible to areas closed due to an infection outbreak, other than in exceptional circumstances, and hand hygiene is strongly encouraged on entry to hospital premises and wards as well as on exit.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Throughout Cwn Taf, visiting will be between the hours of 2pm and 5pm and then again between 6pm and 7pm (including weekends and bank holidays). Each patient can have a maximum of two visitors per day for up to one hour in duration, and you need to book a visiting slot directly with the relevant ward. Essential carers are not classified as a visitor and should not be included in the daily visiting allocation.
The health board has reverted to pre-Covid visiting times in maternity units, meaning that a single nominated birth partner will be able to remain at hospitals throughout the day
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
In this area, visiting is by appointment and all visitors will require individual risk assessments to be completed. A spokesman for the health board said: “As a health board, we expect our visitors to work with us as partners to maintain the safety of our patients and respect the measures that we ask of them to follow. At any time, visiting may be amended or cancelled to maintain safety.
“Visiting considerations will be informed by community Covid-19 transmission rates, hospital Covid-19 admission numbers and any outbreaks that may be experienced in the Hospital environment. As you will be aware these can change rapidly hence it is important that you check with the ward/department at the time.
“All visiting will be by appointment and all visitors will require an individual risk assessment to be completed both in advance of and on arrival of an agreed visit for both exceptional and general visiting arrangements, in order to keep patients, staff and visitors safe."
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Hywel Dda health bosses have stopped visiting at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest (except for end-of-life visits and any considered necessary in agreement with the sister or nurse in charge of the ward).
Elsewhere, visiting is permitted at hospitals but some ward restrictions are in place so members of the public are asked to contact the ward in question to arrange a visit in advance.
Mandy Rayani, director of nursing, quality and patient experience for Hywel Dda UHB, said: The pandemic has not gone away, and we are grateful for the ongoing support and efforts of our communities to stop the spread, particularly around more vulnerable people.
“These measures will be continually reviewed, and as soon as it is safe to do so, we will ease these restrictions.”
Swansea Bay University Health Board
Hospitals in Swansea have reintroduced a ‘visiting with a purpose’ approach, which means one person only and under certain circumstances. A spokesperson for the health board said: “Unfortunately the increased prevalence of Covid-19 infections in our communities means we must once again restrict visiting to our hospitals, to protect patients and staff.
“‘Visiting with a purpose’ has been re-introduced in our adult general wards with immediate effect. Visiting with a purpose allows one friend or relative to visit a patient under special circumstances. This includes, for example, visiting someone who is in the last days of their life, or who has a memory impairment, or who needs a high level of emotional support. In other words, when a visit is considered crucial for a vulnerable patient’s wellbeing. This must be agreed in advance with ward staff, and visiting is restricted to one hour a day.
Unfortunately visiting for more general social reasons is suspended for now. Specialist areas like maternity services, neonates, and mental health and learning disabilities have their own visiting arrangements (more details here).”
Powys Teaching Health Board
Visiting is permitted in Powys hospitals but it is always by appointment only.
A spokesperson for the health board said: “Wee know it is important for you to visit your loved ones. Currently, one visitor (a family member or friend) is permitted to visit, subject to a risk assessment.
We ask that visitors work with us to maintain the safety of our patients and that they respect the measures that we ask of them to follow. At any time, visiting may be amended or cancelled to maintain safety.
“Visiting rules may change at short notice due to COVID-19 transmission rates, hospital Covid-19 admission numbers and any outbreaks that may be experienced in the hospital. As you will be aware these can change rapidly hence it is important that you check with the ward/department before visiting. These steps are in place to prevent infections and to make visiting as safe as possible.
“All visiting will be by appointment only and all visitors will require an individual risk assessment to be completed both in advance of and on arrival of an agreed visit for both exceptional and general visiting arrangements, in order to keep patients, staff and visitors safe.”
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