Coronavirus: Fife hospitals suspend visiting

The move has been taken by NHS Fife to limit the spread of Covid-19 and to protect its most vulnerable patients and ensure the safety of NHS staff.

Visiting will be suspended indefinitely at all hospitals in Fife from midnight on Tuesday, March 24.

Helen Buchanan, NHS Fife’s nursing director, said: “In these unprecedented times we are having to take big decisions, often at short notice, to protect those most at risk.

“Our staff are working tirelessly in preparation for an expected rise in Covid-19 cases and whilst stopping visiting may ordinarily seem drastic, the challenges facing us over the coming months make such actions necessary and will enable us to continue to provide a good standard care to those who need it most.

“We do not know how long these arrangements will remain in place but it will likely be for a number of weeks.

“In the meantime, we would encourage visitors this evening and tomorrow to consider bringing in technology, such as phones or tablets, which will help ensure patients remain connected to family and friends, along with other essential items.”

The suspended visiting applies to all hospital wards and sites with the exception of the neonatal unit, maternity services, children’s wards and hospices.

In maternity wards and delivery units one visitor/birthing partner is permitted and must remain within the maternity area at all times.

Only parents are permitted to visit the neonatal/special care baby unit and should remain with the child at all times.

Only parents are permitted to visit the children’s ward and should remain with their child at all times.

In hospices/end of life care visiting arrangements are unchanged.