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Visiting rules during Covid-19

Posted By Kags

"Visiting rules during Covid-19"

About: Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow / General medicine (Wards 5d)

(as a carer),

My Mum was admitted to QEUH after a stroke.

My brother and I are her main carers and usually see her at least twice a week each and speak to her most days. My other brother and sister also call her frequently but both live in England and therefore have not seen her for several months.

We have had to choose which one of us gets to be the "designated visitor" which is a horrible choice to have to make and puts extra pressure on both of us. In addition my Mum has spent her entire hospital stay so far (since Thursday night) in wards which appear to have no mobile phone signal.

A very nice nurse helped me get to talk to her on the ward phone on Friday morning (ARU4) and a lovely staff nurse also helped me today by allowing her to speak to me on the ward phone.

I am aware that "virtual visiting" is available so I will try that but as my Mum is registered partially sighted video chats don't add much at her end.

Please please please, I wish the government would stop these inhumane rules about hospital visiting. My Mum will deteriorate mentally without her support network and this situation is already having an effect on my mental health. Pubs, restaurants and holidays are all very well but isn't it now about time to consider what really makes a difference to people's lives especially to those who are most vulnerable? Oh -and can't something be done about the mobile coverage in our "flagship" hospital?

Thanks to the staff for trying to make a bad situation bearable (but it is still not)!

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Responses

Response from Nicole McInally, Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 3 years ago
Nicole McInally
Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 28/07/2020 at 10:31
Published on Care Opinion at 10:31

picture of Nicole McInally

Dear Kags

I am very sorry to hear about your Mum’s stroke. I understand that it is very difficult for families to decide who will be the ‘designated visitor’, and the additional stress this places on families. I am glad that you have managed to speak to you Mum, I hope this provided some comfort and reassurance to you both.

Can you let me know which Ward your Mum is currently in, and I will contact my colleagues in Facilities regarding the lack of mobile phone coverage?

This is the link to our Person Centred Virtual Visiting page if you would like more information:

https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/patients-and-visitors/person-centred-visiting/person-centred-virtual-visiting/

We will continue to revise and review the visiting arrangements based on Scottish Government Guidance and hopefully we will be able to ease the restrictions soon.

Please pass on my best wishes to your Mum.

Take Care

Nicole

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Update posted by Kags (a carer)

Dear Nicole,

My Mum is in ward 1C on the ground floor of the QUEH. This information was included in the original version of my story but for some reason was edited out - I have no idea why?

I am sure facilities are very aware of the issues with mobile phone coverage on the ground floor of the QUEH - it is no secret. On my Mum's last admission it was the first thing the staff told me when I called the ARU (can't remember which one that time) and staff informed me again when I called ARU4 on this occasion. Normally things improve on moving to a ward, but as 1C is on the ground floor it seems there is also a problem in this area. This is probably a building design issue but is a problem for both staff and patients. It exacerbates communication problems for carers isolated from their loved ones during the current pandemic, and in this day and age you would think a solution could be found to remedy the problem.

It would be great if you could influence a change in this situation as it would improve communication for everyone who works in, visits or needs to contact someone in the hospital.

Response from Nicole McInally, Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 3 years ago
Nicole McInally
Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 30/07/2020 at 11:18
Published on Care Opinion at 11:18

picture of Nicole McInally

Thanks Kags

I will contact our Telecomms Team regarding this.

Take Care

Nicole

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