Dear all,
There has been a four nation public health COVID update which has led us to make some changes to how we use our Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This post provides a summary of what the changes mean for us and I have also included the link below should you want to access that directly.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control
You are probably aware that your children may meet the criteria issued by Scottish Government to practice ‘Shielding’.
Shielding is for people, including children, who are at high risk of becoming unwell from coronavirus (COVID-19). It also for their family, friends and carers. Shielding is for you and your children’s personal protection. Shielding is a measure to protect extremely vulnerable people from coming into contact with coronavirus, by minimising all interaction between them and others.
Parents will have seen the guidance already which promotes minimal contact with others and social distancing which minimises your exposure to the virus.
If you don’t stay overnight in hospital with your child but come in to visit them we now ask you to put on a plastic apron, we may ask you to wear a facemask and that you continue, as before, to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when entering your child’s room. Please remove the apron and facemask and then wash your hands again when leaving the room.
If you stay in hospital with your child as a resident parent, you do not need to wear masks or aprons in your child’s room. We continue with our restricted visiting policy at this time of only 1 carer/parent with your child and no visitors.
Staff, when entering your child’s room, will adopt the same use of PPE and in addition will wear gloves for any direct patient contact.
When you are attending clinic/6A daycare or theatres, as before, when staff are providing direct patient care to your child, they will adopt the same PPE as described above and we will ensure social distancing between families who are waiting.
If you are currently in the ward and have any questions please ask your nurse.
Many thanks for your ongoing support during this challenging time.