Public Board of Directors papers 27.01.22

communal areas have been re-arranged to maintain physical distancing e.g. spacing of chairs in waiting areas, reduced tables, and chairs in communal areas. We have designated areas/rooms/wards for infectious patients. Visiting infectious patients is restricted where possible unless in exceptional circumstances outlined in the trust’s visitor guidance. In this event, visiting of infectious patients is permitted, the visitor is informed of the potential risks, enabling them to make an informed decision to visit and provided with appropriate PPE. Isolation contact guidance after visiting is outlined prior to the visit taking place. The trust has a designated screening team at the patient/visitor entrances. The screening team would be alerted by the ward of an approved visitor. All visitors are screened for respiratory symptoms by the screening team in accordance with the COVID-19 visitor guidance. See Operational Service Specification for the Oak Road Screening Service (ORSS).

If visitors are attending a care area with infectious patients, they should be made aware of any infection risks and offered appropriate PPE. This would routinely be an FRSM

Visitors with respiratory symptoms should not be permitted to enter a care area. However, if the visit is considered essential for compassionate (end of life) or other care reasons (e.g., parent/child) a risk assessment may be undertaken, and mitigations put in place to support visiting wherever possible. Visitors are not present during AGPs on infectious patients unless they are considered essential following a risk assessment e.g., carer/parent/guardian.

AGP’s are undertaken off the wards in appropriately designated clinical areas. Visitors would not be present during these procedures on infectious patients.

C1501: Infection prevention and control board assurance framework (24 December 2021 Version 1.8) – January 2022

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