As the festive season approaches many patients and their families are considering alternative ways to stay in touch this winter.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn (QEH) is not able to lift current visiting restrictions for patients over the Christmas period. This is intended to keep patients, staff and the community as safe as possible. However, the Trust is asking its patients, their families and the public to take advantage of the many other ways to stay in touch with loved ones this Christmas.
Patients staying in hospital this Christmas are encouraged to bring in their own personal devices so that they can stay in contact their loved ones. Staff on shift will also be more than happy to help patients make video calls to their families and have a number of devices on hand for use if a personal device cannot be used.
The Trust will also be calling (or supporting a patient to call) a nominated family member for each patient as frequently as possible whilst they are in hospital giving an update on their progress. The hospital has also set up a dedicated email address where family and friends can send in letters and pictures for their loved ones – these will be printed and hand delivered to the patient in the lead up to Christmas. Please email PALSMailbox@qehkl.nhs.uk.
Family and friends of patients can also make a single drop-off of items for loved ones in the run up to Christmas and should include clothing for home travel, toiletries, letters, cards or photographs. The hospital asks that valuable items such as jewellery, large amounts of cash and Christmas gifts are not sent in for loved ones but left at home for their return. Drop offs can be made between 9am and 4pm weekdays, and between 1pm and 3pm on 26 and 27 December. Please note there will be no drop off service on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
QEH wishes all patients, staff and members of the public a very happy Christmas and asks that we help protect each other and follow this guidance on engaging with loved ones this time of year.
Further information is available on our website: www.qehkl.nhs.uk and can also be obtained in another language or format such as Braille by telephoning 01553 613351.
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