Milton Keynes Hospital issues major restrictions on visitors, operations and appointments in new coronavirus measures

In a bid to "reduce footfall" and protect patients and staff from coronavirus, just one visitor per patient will be allowed - and visiting can only take place between the hours of 4pm and 7pm for all adult inpatient wards.

The hospital is also would advising that children under 16 years of age do not attend the hospital to visit.

Routine planned surgery is being postponed. Patients who have appointments for such surgery will be contacted by the hospital and their appointments rescheduled.

The intention is to maximise the number of hospital beds available for patients needing emergency care, say hospital bosses.

Urgent operations and operations that form part of cancer treatment will continue to go ahead and patients should attend as planned.

Non-urgent appointments will also be postponed. For outpatients, the hospital is running " virtual clinics" where it can, performing consultations using Skype and telephone appointments.

"This is in order that we can accommodate the appointments of as many patients as possible without the need for them to come into the hospital. If this affects your appointment, the hospital will contact you," said a spokesman.

Some outpatient appointments and diagnostic appointments (scans, x-rays, endoscopies etc) will need people to continue to attend the hospital..

"If you have not heard from the hospital with a change to your appointment, please attend as planned," said the spokesman,.

The number of people who can accompany patients to the Emergency Department and all Assessment Units and Outpatient Departments, including scans, x-ray and other imaging appointments, is also being limited to one person per patient.

In Maternity, visiting is restricted to one person only for all appointments, labour and birth, and postnatally. The hours of visiting are not restricted here.

In Paediatrics, visiting is restricted to two parents or guardians and no siblings, and again the hours of visiting are not restricted.

There may be exceptions to these restrictions, which will be discussed with patients’ families or next of kin and decisions made on an individual basis.

The spokesman said: "Upon entering the wards, please ensure that you either wash your hands thoroughly (for 20 at least seconds) or use the alcohol gel provided. We would ask that you do the same on leaving the ward. Please do not visit the hospital if you have flu or cold-like symptoms. Please follow any instructions given to you by clinical staff.

Chief Executive of Milton Keynes University Hospital, Professor Joe Harrison, said: “We are taking precautionary measures to limit the number of people coming into the hospital to help prevent the potential spread of Covid-19.

“We know that some of these measures – including restricting visiting numbers and times – will be difficult for patients and families, but we believe it’s the right thing to do to help protect everyone in our hospital and in our wider community.

“We are working around the clock to ensure we can continue to provide as many services as possible, as well as planning for a potential increase in the number of patients with Covid-19 who need hospital care. It is a challenging time, but the hospital and local health and public services are doing everything possible to care for those who need us most.”

The hospital has published the following guidance for everyone in MK:

Stay at home for 7 days if you have Covid-19 symptoms.

This means staying at home if you have either:

A high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back.

A new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly.

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.

Everyone should do what they can to stop coronavirus spreading. This is particularly important for people who are 70 or over, have a long-term health condition, are pregnant, or have a weakened immune system.

Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home.

Use the NHS 111 online Covid-19 service if you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, your condition gets worse or your symptoms do not get better after 7 days.

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

For more information visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/