“We continue to review our advice in relation to the coronavirus. We thank you for your support and understanding.”
On Monday July 19th, the Government eased legally-required COVID restrictions across public spaces. However, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and in line with other healthcare settings, we will be keeping our infection prevention measures largely in place.
These measures are designed to prevent the spread of the virus among hospice staff, volunteers, patients, families and the wider community.
At the same time, we are committed to providing specialist compassionate care and supporting families to spend time with loved ones in a safe and supportive environment.
Barnsley Hospice Chief Executive Julie Ferry said: “We’d like to thank all patients, families and supporters for their co-operation and understanding as we continue to maintain Covid-19 safety measures at this difficult time. Our priority is to protect the best interests of our patients to ensure their safety, comfort and care. Please see below and do get in touch with any queries at all.”
Visiting patients in Barnsley Hospice
All patients and families are being contacted directly to clarify how our Covid-19 procedures will continue to affect them. Here is an overview of on-going infection control measures:
- All visitors are required to wear masks at all times in the hospice – further medical-grade PPE will also be supplied when entering our inpatient unit
- All visitors are required to carry out a lateral flow test before visiting the hospice (these are widely available from pharmacies)
- All visitors will be asked to take a forehead temperature check on arrival at the hospice too, as an extra precaution
- Visits to our inpatient unit will be managed carefully with some limits on numbers and lengths of time. In most cases a patient will be allowed three visitors a day; for patients receiving end-of-life care, more visitors may be allowed but no more than three at a time. Young children of a patient are not included in the three-visitor limit. For patients nearing the end of life, it may still be possible to arrange for a loved one to stay in the hospice beside them over night
- All staff and volunteers will continue to wear face masks and undertake regular Covid-19 testing
- The hospice will continue to carry out stringent sanitation procedures.
Access to our support services
Our counselling, family and bereavement support services, as well as our wellbeing and therapy services, continue to be delivered online and over the telephone at present. We are still here to help and you can contact our counselling team on 01226 244244 ext. 267. We’ll be delivering some new online wellbeing programmes soon and we’re planning for the safe return of hybrid and in-person support services in the near future.
Any queries?
Please contact the hospice reception desk to discuss visiting arrangements and any other queries on 01226 244244.
For information, a summary of our full Covid-19 Generic Risk Assessment can be viewed by clicking on this link Barnsley Hospice’s Covid-19 response
The Hospice Retail Hub
Staff and volunteers at the Hospice Retail Hub will also continue to wear face coverings at busy times and when in close proximity to customers.
Information for our supporters
Please continue to support us through your fundraising at this time. We are still not hosting our own large, indoor fundraising events. Your efforts and donations, however big or small, will enable us to continue to deliver compassionate end-of-life care for our patients. Thank you.
