Hospitals in South Tyneside and Sunderland have no visitors

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Health chiefs have suspended visits to all adult inpatient wards at two hospitals in the northeast due to a spike in Covid-19 cases.

The number of confirmed hospital admissions at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust has risen rapidly over the past few days.

The total number of cases in the trust’s hospitals, 56, is not as high as the numbers during previous waves of the pandemic, but trust leaders are concerned about the rate at which hospital numbers are increasing.

The number of cases in both communities remains high.

Starting today, visits to all adult inpatient wards at South Tyneside District Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital will be paused to protect both staff and patients, many of whom are at risk and more at risk of serious complications from Covid-19. This also includes visitors to the Fund’s Intermediate Care and Rehabilitation (ICAR) unit based at Houghton Primary Care Center.

Melanie Johnson, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals said: “Due to the sharp rise in the number of Covid-19 admissions in our hospitals, we have had to make the difficult decision to suspend visits to all of our adult inpatient wards.

“We know how important the visit is, so we understand how disappointing this news is for our patients and loved ones.

“The new Omicron variant is highly transmissible and for the safety of our patients and staff, we need to take this step and reduce the risk of the virus spreading across our hospital sites.”

The Trust advises that visits will not be permitted at this time, except in the following cases:

• Patients receiving end of life care (visiting arrangements are at the discretion of the charge nurse)

• Women in labor can only have one birth partner and can only bring one person with them to their screening appointments

• A parent or caregiver will be able to accompany children in the pediatric emergency department, pediatric wards and neonatal unit

• Patients with dementia, learning difficulties or autism and those who need a caregiver will be able to bring one person with them.

In places where visiting is permitted, personal protective equipment must be worn.

Anyone attending an outpatient appointment and those coming to the emergency departments of South Tyneside District Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital should come alone and be reminded that they will need to wear a face mask, practice good hand hygiene and maintain social distancing at all times.

Johnson added: “I urge everyone to continue to be vigilant.

“If you haven’t had your own COVID-19 vaccine, I would urge you to do so – a vaccine is our best defense.

“Please continue to wash your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds or more, adhere to social distancing as much as possible and continue to wear face masks or coverings in public places to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.”

Ms Johnson said: “The Trust will continue to provide a virtual visit via iPad to patients without the means to contact family and friends and will continue to transmit messages, messages and photos through its #SendingLove scheme.

Full details of the scheme can be found on the Trust’s website at www.stsft.nhs.uk.

Symptoms of the coronavirus include a high temperature, a new persistent cough, and a loss or change in the sense of taste and smell.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should immediately isolate, call 119, and arrange for a test.

If you develop symptoms, your household contacts will also be asked to self-isolate. More information about self-isolation is available on the NHS website.

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