Visiting restrictions eased at Omagh Hospital

Visiting restrictions have been eased at Omagh Hospital, meaning patients can be visited by one person for one hour once a day.

The policy change applies to all Western Trust facilities except Altnagelvin Hospital, which is facing “continued pressures” in the North West.

A spokesperson for the Trust said: “Due to the continued pressures experienced in the North West, Altnagelvin will continue to operate more restrictive measures allowing one visitor per patient for one hour, once a week.

“This is a position we are monitoring closely and will hope to be in a position to amend should COVID-19 community transmission in the North West and pressures on teams in Altnagelvin reduce.”

Due to the “clinical vulnerability” of patients at the North West Cancer Centre in Derry, visiting will also continue to be restricted to once a week.

Across all facilities, more frequent visiting will be allowed in “exceptional circumstances” such as the end of life and birthing partners will continue to be allowed in maternity units.

Paediatric wards in Altnagelvin and South West Acute Hospital will continue to permit a parent to be at the child’s bedside with necessary risk assessments.
This Trust says that visiting policies will remain under review and subject to levels of Covid-19 transmission.

Visiting restrictions at the Trust’s Derry facilities will be reviewed on Thursday (September 23).