Visiting arrangements in Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh

Hospital visiting restrictions have been implemented in Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh (Uist and Barra Hospital) in Benbecula, as a small number of positive cases of COVID-19 have been linked to the hospital.  

Restricted visiting will be in place on the ward until further notice (details of all hospital visiting arrangements below), and please do not visit if you are unwell. 

All visitors to hospitals are reminded to hand sanitise on entry to the hospital and again when entering/leaving a clinical area and to wear a surgical mask (provided) for the duration of your visit, unless you are unable to do so for medical reasons.

Current hospital visiting arrangements

COVID Wards (Erisort, Western Isles Hospital) or Wards with a COVID-19 Outbreak (Uist and Barra Hospital):

• 1 designated visitor for one visit a day for each inpatient (see definition below).
• Essential visiting for patients who require more frequent visits (see definition below).

COVID contact wards (currently Medical Ward 2, Western Isles Hospital):

• 1 designated visitor for one visit a day for each inpatient (see definition below).
• Essential visiting for patients who require more frequent visits (see definition below).

Non-COVID Wards

For wards unaffected by COVID-19, visiting hours are 2pm – 8pm and each patient can have two visitors at a time. Visiting slots no longer have to be pre-booked.

Visiting slots will remain at 30 minutes. Longer visiting slots will be at the discretion of the nurse in charge of the ward. It is important to remember that people who are unwell in hospital are vulnerable and remain at higher risk from COVID-19 than people who are well. Therefore, certain restrictions will continue, including physical distancing and the requirement to wear face masks (unless you cannot do so for medical reasons).

It is also important that you do not visit if you are feeling unwell.

NHS Western Isles staff will provide the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for visitors depending on the area they are visiting and advice on protective measures (e.g. hand sanitizing and physical distancing). However, visitors should be aware, in particular when visiting COVID positive patients or COVID wards, that they attend at their own risk.

Essential visiting 

Essential Visiting for those inpatients who require more frequent visits outwith normal visiting times will be permitted as required, without restrictions on the number of visits or visitors (subject to ward conditions, and in discussion with the nurse in charge of the ward).

Essential visits can be arranged for a range of situations including a birth partner supporting a woman during hospital visits; a person receiving end-of-life care; to support someone with a mental health issue; or dementia, a learning disability or autism where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed; or to accompany a child in hospital.

Designated Visitors

A Designated Visitor is someone chosen by the patient who they would like to be their named visitor. This might be a spouse, next of kin or a friend. It is recommended that this person is also the main link for communication.

The Designated Visitor can be changed if circumstances require. Patients will be asked to identify who is their Designated Visitor.

Visiting outwith normal visiting times

Wards may be able to allow visiting outwith the agreed visiting times. This will be at the discretion of the nurse in charge of the ward. If additional support is required for a patient, or you wish to assist at mealtimes, you can discuss attending outwith normal visiting hours with the nurse in charge of the ward.