How reception has adapted during COVID-19

St Elizabeth Hospice reception in Ipswich has seen many changes during the coronavirus pandemic.

Sue Tunaley, Head of Executive Office, explains in this video below on how reception and visiting the hospice has adapted during the coronavirus pandemic.

This week has also seen new guidance issued for visitors and employees on wearing face coverings in the hospice.

To enable visiting to continue in the safest possible way please read and follow the below guidance before visiting:

• Visitors are strictly limited to one visitor per patient at a time indoors. Please discuss this with the nurse in charge if more than one person wishes to visit, but still only one person should be present at a time inside.
• Visitors should be from the same household as the patient unless you have been advised your loved one is in the last days of life – we would still request visitors are limited to close family or carers only, and in these circumstances only, additional visitors from other households will be offered one occasion each to visit.
• All our communal areas are closed to visitors, therefore we ask that when visiting you remain by the bedside.
• Please wash your hands on arrival and before leaving the hospice.
• All visitors are required to wear a face covering before they enter the building and must be kept on at all times whilst in the hospice. Surgical masks will be given when with your relative.
• If you are taking it in turns to visit a patient you will be asked to wait in your car or car park.
• If a visitor requires assistance to visit, and due to their own needs are unable to visit alone, please discuss with the ward sister or the nurse in charge.
• Groups of up to five visitors are allowed to visit a patient at the same time outside in the garden, and will need to adhere to following:

– The visiting in groups will be limited to 2 groups at a time.  This will allow for other patients to also have visitors at the same time with social distancing.

– Group visits will need to be pre-arranged with the senior nurse so that we are not over-crowding the garden area.

– Entrance to the garden will be via reception, then through the dining room to the   garden.

– Groups of visitors are not allowed indoors.  Toilet facilities can be accessed in reception if required.

– Group visits will be for a maximum of one hour.

– Children under 12 can visit as part of a group in the garden. Visiting inside the ward should be discussed with the ward sister or charge nurse in exceptional circumstances.

• Please bring with you any food you require as regrettably we are unable to provide catering for visitors at present.
• If you or a member of your household develops a high temperature, or a new continuous cough, or loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, or if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 7 days please do not visit. If you have been advised your family member is dying or there are exceptional circumstances please call the ward sister or nurse in charge to discuss if a visit can be made possible in the garden.

For the most up-to-date information on visiting the hospice, please visit our coronavirus information page here.