Colchester, Clacton and Harwich hospital visiting suspended

The East Suffolk and North Essex Trust, which runs the hospitals, took the decision earlier this week. 

Here is what you need to know. 

Why was the decision taken?

The trust says the "difficult decision" was made to suspend visiting at Colchester Hospital, Clacton Hospital and the Fryatt Hospital. 

It comes days after the trust temporarily suspend visiting in Suffolk hospitals.

This is due to the high number of COVID-19 infections in the community and the increasing number of patients with COVID-19 in the Trust’s hospitals.

Giles Thorpe, chief nurse, said: “This week we have already taken the difficult decision to suspend visiting in our hospitals in east Suffolk.

“We have been keeping a close eye on community COVID-19 infection rates and the number of people in our hospitals with the virus and we now need to take the same action in north east Essex.

“This has not been an easy decision to make. We understand how important visiting is to our patients and their families and friends, but we must do everything we can to keep everyone safe in our hospitals.”

Are there an exemptions? 

There are some exceptions and visiting will still be supported. 

This is for:

• End-of-life care
• Those in formal caring roles for patients with, for example, learning disabilities or severe dementia
• Parents of children
• Maternity

There will be no changes in these areas.

Relatives of patients in east Suffolk and north east Essex can keep in touch with them via the Trust’s Letters to Loved Ones service.

How long will visiting be suspended for?

The situation will be reviewed in two weeks, in line with hospital admissions and community COVID-19 infection rates.

A decision will then be made about whether to continue with the suspension or return to a restricted visiting policy.

Mr Thorpe added: “We’d like to thank everyone in our communities for their support and understanding as we continue to respond to the challenges of the pandemic.”