Media Release
Date: 30 March 2020
Visiting suspended at RUH Bath
The Royal United Hospital in Bath has suspended visiting until further notice, to help protect patients and staff and in line with government advice to slow the spread of coronavirus.
It follows the launch of government's nationwide 'Stay Home, Save Lives' publicity campaign, asking everyone to follow the rules on social distancing.
The RUH has now changed its visiting rules, with new restrictions coming into immediate effect.
The only exceptional circumstances where one visitor – an immediate family member or carer – will be permitted to visit are listed below:
- Birthing partner accompanying a woman in labour
- Parent or appropriate adult visiting your child
- Patients nearing end of life
People are asked to contact the ward in advance to discuss appropriate arrangements.
Any inpatients with COVID-19 or awaiting test results for COVID-19 are treated in isolation and are not able to receive visitors.
During this time we ask and encourage visitors to use other methods of keeping in touch with your loved ones in hospital, including phone and video calls. People attending for treatment as an adult outpatient should come into hospital alone. Child outpatients can be accompanied by one adult, but no siblings.
You must not visit in any circumstances if you have a new persistent cough or high temperature.
Trust Chief Executive James Scott said: "We have not taken this step lightly and we recognise this is a difficult time for all our patients, their families and carers. Your health, safety and wellbeing, and that of our patients, communities and individuals and teams across the organisation, remains our absolute priority.
"Thank you for your continued support and understanding at this challenging time."
For more information about visiting the RUH, please see our visitor information page.