NHS Western Isles introduces further measures in response to Coronavirus threat

– Additional Visiting Restrictions
– Dining Room closures to the public
– Patient Travel Office – new arrangements

In response to Coronavirus, NHS Western Isles has taken some additional significant steps to protect patients, staff and visitors.

Additional Visiting Restrictions

Following Scottish Government guidance, we have, from today, brought in stricter guidance for visiting patients in NHS Western Isles hospitals.

Dr Maggie Watts, Director of Public Health said “It is essential you do not visit a patient in hospital if you have a cough, flu like symptoms or a fever. We need to all work together to protect patients, families/carers and staff as much as we can.

“No children should be visiting hospital unless this is in exceptional circumstances and approved by the nurse or midwife-in-charge. We are also asking all visitors not to congregate outside wards or in corridors."

From today – the guidance for people visiting patients in hospitals in the Western Isles is:

• visiting is limited to one visitor per patient, between 7pm and 8pm
• please contact the nurse in charge if there are exceptional circumstances – e.g. parent of a sick child, nominated person for a vulnerable adult or visiting a person receiving end of life care.

NHS Western Isles is urging people to use their health services wisely as it deals with the emerging situation.

NHS Western Isles Nurse and AHP Director/Chief Operating Officer, William Findlay, said: “Looking after our patients and staff is our main priority and every step we take is to support them. We understand that this advice will be challenging for you, however, I would like to thank all staff, patients and carers for their continued support during this time."

Hospital Dining Rooms Closed to the public

NHS Western Isles has also today taken the decision to temporarily close its hospital Dining Rooms to the public.

The Dining Rooms in Western Isles Hospital, Stornoway, and Uist and Barra Hospital, Benbecula, will remain open for staff only, until further notice.

NHS Western Isles regrets that it has had to take this decision, but it has been necessary in the current circumstances, to ensure traffic through our hospitals is kept to a minimum.
Patient Travel Offices – new arrangements
NHS Western Isles has taken the decision to close all three of its Patient Travel Offices.

Members of the public requiring the services of Patient Travel are being advised to contact the offices by telephone or email. Staff will remain available to take calls and make travel bookings.

Telephone contact can be made from 9.00am-1.00pm/2.00pm-4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Lewis & Harris Patient Travel Office
Tel: 01851 708021 patienttravel.wihb@nhs.net

Uist Patient Travel Office
Tel: 01870 603606 patienttravel.uist@nhs.net

Barra Patient Travel Office
Tel: 01871 810431 patient.travel@cne-siar.gov.uk

Travel documents can either be emailed or posted to patients.

Staying safe

To help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses like COVID-19, you should:

• wash your hands more often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use a hand sanitiser
• wash your hand when you get home or into work, when you blow your nose, sneeze or cough, eat or handle food
• avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• avoid close contact with people who have symptoms
• cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin and wash your hands
• clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in your home

Everyone should:

• Wash their hands more often
• Stay at home for 7 days if they have a new continuous cough or high temperature
• Stay at home for 14 days if someone in their household has a new continuous cough or high temperature

If you do not have symptoms and are looking for general information visit NHS Inform on https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus, or contact the free helpline on 0800 028 2816.

The helpline is open:

• Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 10.00pm
• Saturday and Sunday, 9.00am to 5.00pm

If you've developed a new continuous cough and/or a fever/high temperature in the last 7 days, stay at home for 7 days from the start of your symptoms even if you think your symptoms are mild. Do not go to your GP, pharmacy or hospital.

Phone 111 if your symptoms:

• have not improved after 7 days
• are severe or you have shortness of breath
• worsen during home isolation

You should also phone 111 if you develop breathlessness or it worsens, especially if you:

• are 60 years old or over
• have underlying poor health
• have heart or lung problems
• have a weakened immune system, including cancer
• have diabetes

If you have a medical emergency, phone 999 and tell them you have COVID-19 symptoms.