Number of daily visitors to NHS Grampian hospitals to rise during trial period

RESTRICTIONS on hospital visits across the NHS Grampian region are set to be eased as part of a trial.

NHS Grampian has been allowing two visitors daily for each individual patient but, from tomorrow, will permit more than two visitors daily in some hospitals.

For the time being this is just a trial, with Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin set to take part.

Any visits that are already arranged will continue, but NHS Grampian are asking people to discuss visiting preferences with the Senior Charge Nurse from March 9.

Lyn Pirie, Nurse Lead for Person-Centred Visiting, said: “The benefits of in-person visiting for both patients and their relatives are well-known, and we are pleased to be trialling a return to the visiting policy we were used to, pre-Covid.

"I must stress how important it is for relatives or friends to discuss any changes to their plans with the Senior Charge Nurse before making those changes.

“If all goes well, we hope to extend this trial to more clinical areas.

“I want to say a big thank you to the people of Grampian for their support and understanding as we work to fully reinstate person-centred visiting.”

Other places involved in the trial are Ward 112 and 114 at ARI, Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital (RACH), Roxburghe House, Morningfield House and Ward 9 at Woodend Hospital, Rothieden Ward at Huntly Community Hospital and Summers Ward at Peterhead Community Hospital.

Anyone visiting an area not listed must continue to follow the current arrangements of no more than two visitors daily.

Visitors are encouraged to take a Lateral Flow Device test before visiting and should not visit if they are at all unwell.

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