Inappropriate relaxing of Covid preventative safety measures at the Isle of Wight’s only hospital, by patients and staff, has led to calls for people to stick to the national guidance.
Speaking at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Board meeting last week, medical director Steve Parker highlighted the issues of maintaining a safe environment in St Mary’s Hospital, as we head towards an end to lockdown.
He said,
“We are starting to see an inappropriate relaxing of either social distancing and use of PPE by our patients and staff.
“Our response to that is obviously driving forward the message around PPE and the message we have maintained throughout the pandemic around following national guidance.”
Face coverings and social distancing
When going to St Mary’s, wearing a mask indoors is still a requirement as well as observing social distancing.
Other measures also include arriving at the hospital as close to the time of your appointment as possible and by yourself to reduce the risk of infection.
Visitors for patients in some departments will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
Oldham: Trust continues to be very vigilant
Chief executive of the IW NHS Trust, Maggie Oldham said while the Covid position on the Island remained stable, it was a position that changed very frequently so the trust continued to be very vigilant and follow all the national guidance.
In her report to the board, Ms Oldham said a disturbance of the Covid recovery plan could negatively affect the work to clear waiting lists.
Increased demand anticipated
She also anticipated increased demand for services due to more people mixing indoors and travelling to the Island.
She said scientists are already predicting a third wave of cases in the summer and urged all staff, patients and the wider community to exercise caution, follow the guidance and remembering hands, face, space and fresh air.
In the first two weeks of June, 30 new cases have been found on the Island, according to government data.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is part of. Read here to find about more about how that scheme works on the Island. Some alterations and additions may have been made by News OnTheWight. Ed
Image: © Used with the kind permission of Auntie P
