From the 20th March 2023, an asymptomatic patient can do a Lateral flow test in the community within 48 hours of admission. This measure has been put in place to allow community patients to be admitted directly into a shared bay.
 

If the Lateral Flow Test (LFT) is negative the patient can be admitted into a shared bay (patients and families may come and collect a Lateral test from the hospice if needed). Patients who are unable to do a LFT will need to be admitted into a side room. 
 
All patients will also have a Covid-19 PCR Test on admission. This includes patients who are End of Life. However, patients are now able to have visitors before the swab results are known.

All visitors to the hospice are required to wear face masks when moving around the hospice building (including in non-clinical areas). 
 
No-one should visit the hospice if they display any symptoms of Covid-19 or have had a positive Covid-19 test (LFT or PCR) within the past 10 days. This restriction to visiting can be shortened if there are 2 negative LFT's at least 24 hours apart from day 5 and 6 (see staff isolation guidance below for more detailed instructions). 
 
Visitors will not be permitted while a patient is Covid-19 positive. Exceptions will be made if a patient is placed on the End of Life Care Plan or if a distressed patient needs additional support from a family member.

All visitors (both to clinical and non-clinical areas) will be asked to refer to Covid-19 screening questions and have their temperature checked. 
 
We can now allow 4 visitors at a time, and these can be unrestricted numbers in a day. There is time limit on the length of visit and visitors may return again within the same day if needed.  
 

• For patients on the End of Life Care Plan they can have up to 6 visitors at a time. 

• Visitors must wear a face mask at all times when moving about the inpatient unit. 

• Visitors only need to wear additional PPE if providing physical care to the patient. Please ask a member of the clinical team if you are unsure about this. 

• Well behaved pets will be allowed to visit with prior agreement.

Wakefield Hospice remains committed to protecting our vulnerable patients, our staff and volunteers and we will continue to take Covid-19 precautions outside of government guidelines.

Government guidance is available from the government website at: www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-hospice

Symptoms to be aware of include:

• a continuous cough

• a high temperature

• fever or chills

• a loss of, or change in your normal sense of taste or smell

• shortness of breath

• unexplained tiredness

• lack of energy

• muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise

• loss of appetite or not feeling hungry

• headache that is unusual or longer lasting than usual

• sore throat

• stuffy or runny nose

• diarrhoea, vomiting or severe nausea

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms but your visit to the hospice is essential, please speak with the nurse in charge prior to your visit.