Visiting inpatients at Mountbatten Hampshire

With the national relaxation of restrictions, there is a change of arrangements for visiting our Inpatient Unit.

With immediate effect our arrangements are:

• Maximum of 6 nominated visitors per patient with only 2 visiting at a time (in a side room) or one at a time (in a bay). All 6 may visit during the course of a day.
• Visitors to continue to wear masks at all times but not aprons and gloves, unless patient is in isolation.
• Staff to continue to wear masks at all times but to wear aprons and gloves during patient contact (e.g. providing personal care/assistance).
• If a patient is COVID positive to return to full isolation and PPE measures – including the use of visors at all times.
• To maintain social distancing wherever possible

Exceptions will continue to be made for people who are visiting someone who is in the last days of their life. The Senior Nurse in charge will discuss this with the patient and their families/friends at the time.

These revised arrangements are being communicated to visitors and patients on our Inpatient Unit and the information will be on our websites.

If you have symptoms

You will already know from the government that anyone experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus should stay at home and self-isolate.

Our patients are among the most poorly and this means we must do all we can to minimise the risk.

Help us keep everyone safe by not visiting if you, or any of the people you live with, have any of the following symptoms:  

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature) 
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual) 
• a loss of, or change, in smell or taste

If you have experienced any of these symptoms, you should take a Covid test. Please do not visit Mountbatten until you receive a negative test result and you are clear of symptoms.

Keeping in contact with your loved one

You will be able to keep in contact with your loved one, even if you cannot visit our hospice and need to stay at home. Our team can offer to support with making video calls, so that you can both see and hear your loved one.

If you are unsure about how this works, our team can provide a user guide which gives simple instructions. 

We will do our very best to make sure we have a staff member and equipment available for you to use this service; please call us first on 02382 548810 so that we can arrange a suitable time.

Mountbatten shops  

All our shops have now reopened. We encourage masks to be worn and keeping a social distance from other shoppers. 

Your support in following these changes will ensure that you and your loved ones are protected. Your support also means that our staff and volunteers can keep well, so they can still be here to give care and support to you and your loved one. Thank you.

Find out more about visiting here.  

Care Coordination Centre

If you are already known to Mountbatten Hampshire and need advice or information, or simply someone to talk to, you can contact our Care Coordination Centre on 02382 548860.

This number will put you directly in touch with our Care Coordination Centre, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Volunteering

Mountbatten has contacted all current volunteers to explain the latest government guidance around Covid-19.

There are still volunteering opportunities available with Mountbatten during the lockdown period and beyond.

If you are interested in volunteering with Mountbatten Hampshire, email [email protected]

Advice

Our support for people living across Southampton and west Hampshire through death, dying and bereavement continues in people's own homes and in the community.

It also continues online, with advice and information to help you cope. You are not alone.