Continue to follow public health advice when in healthcare settings

Nursing
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The Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising that people must continue to follow public health advice when in healthcare settings due to the increase in case numbers we are currently seeing across Northern Ireland.

Rodney Morton, Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professions at the PHA, said: “As we move forward Trusts and health and care services begin to implement plans to reinstate face-to-face outpatient appointments, elective procedures and to offer inpatients the opportunity to have visitors, which is an important part of the patients health, wellbeing and recovery, but we must continue to remain vigilant.

“The real threat of COVID-19 is ever present, particularly variants of concern and we can see the impact the Delta variant has had on increasing case numbers in our community. We must continue to protect those sick and vulnerable people who are cared for in all our health and social care settings, those who attend Emergency Departments, Outpatients or other healthcare facilities for treatment, and those who are currently inpatients or residents within healthcare settings.”

If you are attending or visiting a health and social care facility you must:

  • Continue to wear a face covering. It is essential to wear a face covering properly and to handle it appropriately with clean hands;
  • Wash your hands properly, as this is one of the most effective things you can do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Wash hands/use sanitiser on entering and leaving healthcare departments and facilities;
  • Comply with the social distancing arrangements in place in the setting you are attending or visiting;
  • Do not visit or attend and health and social care settings if you have symptoms of COVID-19, or you have been in contact with a positive case and are self-isolating, or you are waiting on a COVID-19 test result;
  • If you are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, please book it now or turn up at a drop-in clinic, you don’t need to be invited. Details of nearest clinics www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/get-covid-19-vaccination-northern-ireland

Anyone who is due to have an elective procedure will be asked to attend for a COVID-19 PCR test 72 hours before their attendance and will be asked to self-isolate from the time of their PCR test. It is important to attend the test and self-isolate as failure to do may result in the procedure being cancelled.

Professor Charlotte McArdle, Chief Nursing Officer for Northern Ireland, said:  “Failure to follow public health advice may lead to increased transmission and cases.  Those being cared for in our health and social care settings are the most vulnerable in our community and it is vital that we do everything we can to protect them.

“It is also important to show respect to all healthcare professionals, who will be asking you to follow the guidelines as they endeavour to keep everyone safe.

“It is also vital that anyone who still has not come forward for a vaccine does so as soon as possible.

“Getting your COVID vaccine has never been easier with mobile and walk-in clinics available across Northern Ireland. To find out where they are located visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/get-covid-19-vaccination-northern-ireland.

“The message for everyone remains that it is essential that when in healthcare settings we all continue to follow public health advice. This advice will help prevent the spread of COVID-19, help to protect healthcare settings and help save lives.”