Coronavirus precautions at the RHN

Updated Friday 16 October

Our patients and residents are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 (coronavirus) In order to minimise the risk of the virus being brought into the hospital we have implemented a number of restrictions. The hospital is currently closed to visitors.

Our next steps

We recognise that our visiting restrictions have been very difficult for our families and friends, and we’ve missed you all very much. We know that stopping visits has been the right decision, and we thank you for your patience  and messages of support.

Our situation is now more settled, and we’re pleased to be able to report that we’ve had no new infections of COVID-19 for over 120 days. While that is really good news, we have to remain incredibly careful. Should any new infections occur, we’re in a position to react quickly and minimise further risks to our patients and staff.

In order to enable visits but keep our hospital community safe, we have been reintroducing visiting slowly and carefully.

Visits are taking place in a controlled way, over a two-week cycle, and with a two-week break in between to assess any risks. Wards will contact families to arrange a single two-hour visit for two people on a specific date and time. Visits will take place in the garden.

It’s important we know who’s coming to visit, so that in the event of any further outbreak of infection, we can trace any possible contacts and isolate and monitor anyone who may have been put at risk.

Find out more about our visiting schedule here.

We are looking forward to seeing you back at the RHN soon, and thank you for all your support.