The UK Government announced that England will remove all remaining domestic Covid-19 restrictions in law from Thursday 24th February.
The legal requirement to self-isolate will end, however, adults and children who test positive will continue to be advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for at least five full days and then continue to follow the guidance until they have received two negative test results on consecutive days.
Despite the changes for members of public, the infection prevention and control measures for healthcare settings, including St Mary’s Hospital and its community based locations remain in place.
Wearing face masks
Public Health Infection Prevention Control measures for healthcare settings still require face masks for patients and visitors, and it is an important measure that keeps those receiving healthcare safe.
Visitors
Patients on certain wards that have been in hospital for over seven days, will continue to be permitted one designated visitor.
A lateral flow test within 24 hours of visiting is requested.
Having Covid-19 symptoms or testing positive
People should not attend an appointment or visit a loved one in hospital if you have recently developed Covid-19 symptoms or if they have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 10 days and not carried out the advised isolation guidance.
Pearce: Protecting vulnerable patients
Juliet Pearce, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and AHPs said,
“It is important to remember that in order to protect vulnerable patients, there is separate guidance for healthcare settings to ensure those most at risk, are protected from Covid-19.
“The NHS has important measures in place to protect those in its care, such as our staff carrying out regular testing and face masks being required, and these remain in place from Thursday.
“As Covid-19 restrictions change, we would like to thank everyone who has followed the guidance and come forward for their vaccinations. Those actions have made a positive difference to our community.”
The latest visitor and patient information is available on our Website.
News shared by Isle of Wight NHS Trust, in their own words. Ed
