30/07/2021
The current “1-1-1” visiting restrictions will remain in place at Altnagelvin and Waterside Hospitals until at least Friday, 6 August 2021.
In light of continued pressures with the significant increase in Covid-19 transmission in the North West community area, and the resulting sharp rise in admissions of Covid-19 patients in our hospitals, the Western Trust’s most recent “1-1-1” visiting restrictions will continue to remain in place at Altnagelvin and Waterside Hospitals until at least Friday 6 August 2021, with amended guidelines applying to other Western Trust sites.
The visiting arrangements at both Altnagelvin and Waterside Hospitals will continue on the basis of one (1) visitor, for a maximum time of one (1) hour, once (1) in the week permitted for the next six days.
The situation will be reviewed again on Thursday 5 August 2021.
More frequent visiting in exceptional circumstances, such as at the end of life will continue to be permitted, as will visiting for birthing partners to maternity services, each in a risk assessed way.
Visiting arrangements to all other Western Trust facilities, including South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen and Omagh Hospital, will also continue on the basis of one visitor, for one hour, once per day.
Paediatric wards (children’s) in Altnagelvin and South West Acute Hospital will continue to permit a parent to be at the child’s bedside, ensuring this is risk assessed and in a COVID-19 secure way.
This will remain under review and risk assessed accordingly owing to any further increase in admitted infection rates to any particular department, e.g. an inability to retain a COVID-19 secure environment of care and the safety of patients and staff will always be to the forefront of any decision made.
The continued major focus on the vaccination programme remains integral in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic and everyone who can is encouraged to get their vaccine as soon as possible, including accessing our mobile clinics in various parts of the community, and which are proving to be successful.
For latest Visiting Guidelines visit our COVID19 Visiting Guidance page.
The Trust have provided a range of ways to facilitate anyone to access the vaccine.
To find out about how you can get your vaccine at any of the Mass Vaccination Centres or Mobile walk-in clinics, you can visit the Western Trust: Vaccination Info page.
If you are planning to attend one of our Hospitals, facilities or one of our three the Mass Vaccination Centres, located at Foyle Arena Londonderry, Omagh Leisure Centre and the Lakeland Forum, Enniskillen, please do not do so if you:
- Are currently unwell with a high temperature or fever
- Have had a first positive test for COVID-19 in the last 28 Days
- You have been advised to self-isolate
- Had any vaccine (including flu) in the last 7 days.
Anyone attending any Western Trust Facility or to the Mass Vaccination Centres, or mobile walk in clinics, is reminded to wear a face covering (unless exempt for medical reasons) and adhere to social distancing and hand-hygiene rules.