News

Reduction in visitor hours at MBH

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 06:46:00

Mildura Base Hospital will reduce the amount of time visitors can spend at the hospital from Thursday, in line with State Government COVID-19 mandates.

From Thursday July 30, visitors will be asked to spend a maximum of one hour with a patient between the hours of 11 am and 1 pm each day.
Director of Nursing, Janet Hicks said the new measures will streamline the admission process and allow social distancing requirements to be maintained within the wards for the protection of our staff, patients and visitors.
“There has been some queueing happening outside the hospital at the start of visiting hours, meaning some people have taken quite a while to get in. We’re hoping the change will stagger the time people arrive to visit a little bit more,” Ms Hicks said.
“As well, we need to adhere to social distancing rules by limiting the numbers of people within the wards at any one time, so reducing visits to one hour will hopefully be fairer for everyone,” she said.
From Thursday, a maximum of one nominated visitor per patient admission is permitted from 11am and the maximum length of visit will be one hour. Additional visitors may be permitted on compassionate grounds and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
The change is in addition to measures implemented last week allowing only one designated visitor for hospital patients across all wards, to reduce visitor movements, and the introduction of a requirement for all visitors to wear masks while they are inside the hospital.
“The tightening of restrictions across the State is difficult for everyone, but the changes are being implemented to protect vulnerable people and staff,” Ms Hicks said.
“We understand it is undoubtedly distressing and challenging for people, especially when they want to see a loved one, but we would ask for people’s continued understanding, for everyone to follow the rules and for our staff to be respected in the difficult task they’re doing,” she said.
Access to Mildura Base Hospital is only via the main entrance.  Every visitor entering is temperature tested and assessed against a set of criteria before they can enter and will be provided a mask to wear if they do not have one.
Ms Hicks said there were currently no active cases of COVID-19 in the Mildura community, but continued vigilance on hand-hygiene and social distancing was vital.
“Just because we don’t know of any active cases in our community does not mean that there aren’t any – the challenge with COVID-19 is that infectious people can be active in the community without being aware of it,” she said.
“That’s why it’s just so important for everyone to understand the risks and symptoms, and to immediately get tested, even for mild symptoms.   Get tested and go straight home, don’t stop or detour anywhere on the way. When you get home, stay at home until you have your results.”

Caption:

Visitors at MBH are being asked to mask up, and restrict their visits to a one-hour block.  Pictured are director of Nursing Janet Hicks with screening staff (left) administrative assistant Zoe Young and endorsed enrolled nurse Gemma Baker