Person Centred Visiting -May 2022

Ardgowan Hospice are delighted to announce a change to our patient visiting within the In-patient Unit (IPU) – often called the ‘ward’.

We understand that families and friends want to spend time with their loved one whilst they are being cared for in the hospice and we are therefore implementing an open visiting system. Our team will be happy to welcome you and facilitate you to visit throughout the day.

Whilst we want to encourage relatives and friends to visit, we are also mindful that our patients can sometimes get tired. For this reason, staff may at times advise those visiting to limit their time with a loved one in order to allow them to rest.

Mealtimes will remain protected, and we encourage you not to visit during these times, unless arranged in advance with the ward staff.

Protected mealtimes:

Breakfast 08:00-09:00

Lunch 12:30-13:30

Dinner 17:00-18:00

Changes to any of the above arrangements will be at the discretion of the nurse in charge.

Please be aware that there may be times when nursing staff might ask you to leave the ward. Often this is to allow them to provide care to your family member. We would ask that all visitors are respectful of this.

Sadly Covid-19 remains a significant part of our daily lives. Here at Ardgowan hospice we require all visitors to provide evidence of a negative Lateral Flow Test, which must have been taken within 24 hours of their visit, prior to admission to the IPU. If necessary, testing can be completed on-site.

Wearing of a face mask in and around the IPU remains mandatory except whilst eating and drinking. We ask that all visitors continue to wear their face covering (unless there is significant reason they cannot do so), gel their hands upon entering and leaving the IPU and maintain social distancing.