This week, the Government announced the removal of COVID-19 restrictions for the general public. At the current time infection prevention guidelines remain in place in healthcare settings, and will continue to apply at all St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals buildings, including Whiston, St Helens and Newton hospitals, St Helens Urgent Treatment Centre and all community sites.

This includes the wearing of face masks for staff and face masks or coverings for all patients and visitors (unless exempt) in all health and care settings and physical distancing of at least one metre.

Visiting restrictions also remain in place to ensure that everyone is protected.

Professor Rowan Pritchard Jones, Medical Director said, "Whilst there is an easing of restrictions for the general public, we continue to care for high numbers of COVID positive patients in our hospitals. The measures we have in place remain vital to protect our staff and all of the patients who attend our buildings for care and treatment every single day.

“Until further guidance is issued for healthcare settings, and we are able to make any changes to current practice in a safe and controlled manner, we will continue to follow these safety measures. We appreciate the frustration this may cause, however the health, safety and wellbeing of our patients, communities and staff remains our absolute priority. We thank the public for their ongoing support and cooperation.”

Visiting will only be permitted in the following circumstances:

• A maximum of two visitors for patients at the end of their life.
• One birthing partner accompanying a woman in labour.
• One partner accompanying woman to antenatal scans.
• One parent or appropriate adult visiting a child. This may include multiple parents, although only one may be present at any time. This also includes Neonatal services.
• One carer that is supporting someone with a mental health issue such as dementia, a learning disability or autism or other similar complex conditions, where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed.
• In exceptional cases consideration will be given to individual requests following a comprehensive risk assessment.