Bolton NHS Foundation Trust is safely re-introducing visitors across some of its sites.

Restrictions were put in place during the latest wave of COVID-19 to reduce the spread and keep everyone safe.

A continued fall in community COVID-19 infection rates means the Trust is now in a position to cautiously re-start visiting with a booking system to visit patients on some wards at Royal Bolton Hospital: H3, C1, and the Coronary Care Unit (CCU).

COVID safety measures

Visitors are being asked to follow simple COVID safety measures when on site to best protect staff, patients and the local community. These include:

• Showing a negative lateral flow result before arrival
• Wearing a facemask during the visit, unless exempt, and regularly washing hands
• Not visiting if displaying any symptoms of COVID-19
• Not visiting if tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10-days or if a test result is pending

The online booking system will ensure visitor numbers are kept to a safe level and that all family members can get fair access to be back alongside loved ones.

Book online at: https://royalboltonhospitalpvs.simplybook.cc/v2/.

Visitors are being asked to contact wards via the switchboard to book a slot if they do not have internet access.

Richard Catlin, Deputy Director of Infection, Prevention and Control, said:

I understand how important it is for families and friends to be able to offer their support if a loved one in a hospital.

That’s why we are very pleased to be able to ease some of the measures that were in place.

Safety remains a top priority as we re-open the doors to our wards, so we are asking patients to book their slots, and follow our COVID-19 protocols when on site.

I would like to thank our staff and the local community for their understanding and support in helping us through what has been another difficult period.

‘It will make a huge difference’

Paul Taylor, age 67 from Horwich, is a patient on the Coronary Care Unit:

It will make a huge difference to have visitors back because they can be long days when you’re on your own with nobody to talk to properly.

I have a daughter who I’ve seen a couple of times out of the window, and it would be lovely to have her in here to sit on the bed and get a cuddle off her.

My mum is 86, she speaks to me every day but it isn’t the same as seeing her.

The staff have been fantastic since the moment I arrived, you certainly get well looked after.”

Visiting in other areas continues to be suspended at this time, however the Trust hopes to safely introduce visiting to other wards as soon as possible.

Children who are not patients are not currently able to visit any of the wards, unless visiting a patient who is receiving end of life care and social distancing can be maintained, but procedures are in place to help keep in touch in a safe way.

For full details on the current guidance for visiting Royal Bolton Hospital, please visit the website.