Patient deaths spark multiple warnings about visiting restrictions

Coroners have raised multiple concerns that visiting restrictions are having a damaging effect on patient care and wellbeing, also raising the issue that families of vulnerable patients may be unable to pass on information to clinicians which would be relevant to their care.

NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson said: “No trust makes the decision to suspend or restrict visiting lightly. Trust leaders understand the importance of allowing visitors, in a safe and manageable way, or finding alternative ways to enable particularly vulnerable patients to stay in touch with their families and carers. They are also aware of the important information that families and carers can provide about patients.”

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Source: HSJ, 16 August 2021