County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has announced that in light of national guidance for people to stay at home to help further prevent the spread of Coronavirus, visiting at all of its hospitals across County Durham and Darlington has been suspended with immediate effect.
Executive Director of Nursing, Noel Scanlon, said, “We’ve taken this decision to protect our patients many of whom are elderly and already very ill, and our staff who need to be well to care for our patients. The restrictions will be in place until further notice and only the following visitors will be permitted:
- One parent or legal guardian on children’s wards
- One birthing partner in maternity units
- Patients receiving end of life care, at the discretion of the ward Sister
“This will apply in all our hospitals including University Hospital of North Durham, Darlington Memorial Hospital, Bishop Auckland Hospital and our community hospitals.
“These are unprecedented times and we’re grateful for the support we’re getting from the public. We understand that people will be disappointed to not be able to visit loved ones in hospital and we ask our local communities for their understanding at this difficult time.”
