Trust commences return of inpatient visiting by appointment

The trust is moving towards a phased reintroduction of patient visiting. This will be positive news for many families but will take careful management to ensure continued safety. A ward-based appointment system has been put in place to ensure social distancing can be maintained.  Advanced booking is essential.

Kath Senior, Director of Nursing and Quality said "I am pleased that we are able to support our patients in this way.

"The trust would like to thank patients and relatives for their cooperation and understanding during this very difficult time. Further patience and consideration are necessary to ensure everyone's safety as we start to reintroduce visiting in some of our ward areas. I am urging all visitors to follow the strict guidelines we must put in place to continue to protect everyone.

"It is important that visitors remember to maintain social distancing whilst on the hospital premises, practice good hand hygiene and wear a face covering or mask at all times."

Visitor Guidelines

All visiting is with the agreement of the ward manager who has responsibility for overseeing safe practice on the ward. 

Visitors will be able to book appointments by speaking to the relevant ward directly or via switchboard Tel. 01625 421000.

In this phase, Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, Trauma ward and Aston ward at Congleton will be able to receive visitors under strict guidelines: 

• Visiting hours will be from 1pm to 6.45pm each day including weekends and bank holidays.
• ​​​​​​​Each patient may have one named visitor each day. National restrictions on household mixing remain in place and visitor compliance is expected. 
• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​A maximum of two visitors in each ward bay at any one time.  
• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​Visitors will be allocated a time slot of 45 minutes which allows for appropriate infection control to be undertaken and enables other patients to receive visitors.
• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Visitors must practice good hand hygiene and wear a face covering or mask at all times.
• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Unfortunately, children will not be permitted to visit the ward area.

Please note:

Visiting restrictions remain in place on all other ward areas where routine visiting is not yet permitted.

There are no changes to current visiting arrangements in paediatrics.

These arrangements are subject to change should the trust need to do so at any time.