Visitor restrictions at Harrogate and Ripon Hospitals to ease

From Tuesday (8 March), health bosses are making changes to rules

Author: May NormanPublished 7th Mar 2022

Visiting restrictions at Harrogate and Ripon Hospitals are to be eased this week.

From Tuesday (8 March), Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) is changing regulations following a decline in COVID-19 infection rates across the Harrogate district.

It means inpatients may have one visitor, by appointment, between the hours of 2pm-4pm for a duration of 30 minutes. Only two visitors are allowed in each bay at any one time.

Visitors will be able to call to book an appointment from Monday (7 March).

Bookings should be made directly with the ward on which the patient is staying by calling Harrogate District Hospital on 01423 885959 or Ripon Community Hospital on 01423 542900 between 10am and 4pm and asking to be put through to the relevant ward.

At the time of booking, visitors will be asked to answer screening questions so we can maintain the safety of our patients and staff.

Whilst visitor restrictions may be easing, some rules are still in place.

Visitors must not have any COVID-19 symptoms, such as a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, and must not have tested positive for COVID-19 or had contact with someone who has had the infection in the last 10 days.

Visits to patients who have COVID-19 or who are currently in isolation due to contact with COVID-19 may occur in exceptional circumstances, as agreed with the Ward Manager.

From Tuesday (8 March), outpatients visiting one of our hospitals for an appointment may have a maximum of one person accompany them if required.

Anyone visiting the hospitals will be required to wear a mask provided by the hospital, wash and sanitise their hands on entering and leaving the hospital/ward they are visiting, and stay with their relative whilst on the ward.

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