Local News News Continued suspension of visiting hours at the QEH Barbados Today16/08/20210119 views In view of the evolving situation with respect to recent clusters of COVID-19 cases, the Board of Management of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) wishes to remind the public that regular visiting hours at the QEH continue to be suspended with exceptions being permitted for four categories of patients. These are: 1. Patients receiving palliative (end of life) care. 2. Pregnant patients who are in active labour. 3. Very ill patients who will be identified by the Department of Nursing Services. 4. Paediatric patients. A parent or guardian will be allowed to stay with these patients around the clock. Visitation to these categories of patients continues to be facilitated between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., or 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily; and remains limited to a single visitor per patient for the duration of each patient’s stay. These visitors will be provided with a special pass which must be presented to security along with a valid form of ID. In cases of urgencies and emergencies, special permission to visit must be sought through the Nursing Office by calling 436-6450 Ext 6282 or 6283. We acknowledge that these visitation restrictions are difficult for patients and their loved ones, but these restrictions are necessary to minimize any potential exposure to COVID-19. As such, this continues to be the best course of action to ensure the safety of vulnerable patients in our care. However, in an effort to keep family members abreast of any developments and allay your concerns, our nursing staff have committed to providing dailyupdates on the patient’s condition to one designated member of the family. Additionally, direct communication via telephone or virtually will also be facilitated for patients who are able to engage with family and friends via these means. While visitation privileges remain suspended for most patients, provision for a single relative or caregiver to drop-off toiletries and fresh laundry and collect soiled linen at the drop-off and pick up point located in the hospital’s main lobby continues to be made. Drop offs and collections will be facilitated between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. twice weekly as follows: • Patients on the A floor (Wards A1, A2, A5, A6 and the High Dependency Unit i.e. HDU) – Tuesdays and Fridays ONLY. • Patients on the B floor (Wards B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, and B8) – Wednesdays and Saturdays ONLY. • Patients on the C floor (Wards C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10 and C12) – Thursdays and Sundays ONLY. Parcels for delivery must be packaged in clearly labeled bags with the full name of the patient and the ward on which they are hospitalized printed in block letters e.g. JANE DOE, WARD B7. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Board of Management thanks you for your usual support and cooperation, and reminds all persons visiting the QEH that all COVID-19 protocols remain in full effect. For more information on the operations of the QEH, please call the QEH Help Desk at 536-4800. You can also visit us at www.qehconnect.com or follow us @qehconnect on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates.