Protection Levels and Visiting in Hospital

As you will be aware, the Western Isles will be placed in Protection Level 3 from Boxing Day (December 26). This impacts on hospital visiting arrangements.   

Arrangements for essential visiting, for those who fall into this category, will continue. Examples of essential visits include but are not limited to: 

• A birth partner supporting a woman during hospital visits 
• For a person receiving end-of-life care – we expect this to be defined as flexibly and compassionately as possible, to support patients at the end of life spending meaningful time with their loved ones in their final days and weeks 
• to support someone with a mental health issue such as dementia, a learning disability or autism where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed 
• to accompany a child in hospital.  

NHS Western Isles also considers that it is currently safe and appropriate to also allow one Designated Visitor for each inpatient for the duration of their stay in hospital. This will continue to be monitored to ensure it is considered to be safe.  

No individual can be the Designated Visitor for more than one patient, or visit more than one patient whilst in the hospital.  Patients will be asked to identify who they would like to be their Designated Visitor.   

With regard to Maternity, partners plus one Designated Visitor will be able to visit in the department. Partners can also attend dating and anomaly scans and any emergency appointments but we are not currently permitting partners to routine clinic appointments or routine growth scans. 

Visiting will be arranged via the individual wards. Visits will be made by pre-arranged appointments to ensure the number of people in the clinical area at any one time is limited to maintain a safe physical distance. We aim to be person-centred, however we cannot guarantee you will be provided with your personal choice of visiting time. 

Virtual Visiting remains available as an alternative. To arrange a virtual visit, you should telephone reception to direct you on 01851 704704.   

Once an appointment has been arranged, you can link to your virtual appointment at: https://www.wihb.scot.nhs.uk/virtual-visiting/ 

View the NHS Western Isles Hospital Visiting (Tier 3) Infosheet