Temporary suspension of ward visiting in all ESNEFT hospitals
Most ward visiting is being suspended in all hospitals run by East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) from Wednesday 23 March.
This is due to the increasing number of patients with COVID-19 in the Trust’s hospitals, following a rapid rise in the number of infections in the community. COVID-19 is also impacting staffing at the Trust.
This will affect Colchester Hospital, Clacton Hospital and Fryatt Hospital, Harwich, Ipswich Hospital, Aldeburgh Hospital, Felixstowe Hospital and Bluebird Lodge in Ipswich.
Some exceptions will apply, and more open visiting will remain in place for:
- End-of-life care
- Those in formal caring roles who support someone with learning disabilities or severe dementia, for example
Parents/carers of children: One parent/carer may visit a child in hospital, this includes staying overnight. A parent/carer may substitute each other - Maternity: One birthing partner (this is being temporarily reduced from two) may attend the delivery of a baby, and only that person may visit antenatal/postnatal wards between 8am and 8pm.