SOUTHEND and Basildon hospitals have introduced new measures to cut the number of people visiting in-patients in a bid to curtail the spread of coronavirus.

In a move echoed by hospitals across the country, visits will now be limited to immediate family members or carers.

No visitors will be permitted in any healthcare setting if they are showing symptoms such as a high temperature or a new, persistent cough.

In addition, visitors will be limited to one per patient unless the patient is receiving end-of-life care or is an expectant mum with two birthing partners.

No children aged under 12 will be allowed to visit except in exceptional circumstances.

The moves come as hospitals have been ordered to release as many patients as possible to be treated in the community ahead of an expected coronavirus deluge.

NHS England has notified Southend and Basildon hospitals they must free up beds by discharge patients to be treated by medics in the community as part of plans to free up to 15,000 beds across England.

GPs, who are increasingly using telephone consultations to prevent the spread of the virus, will see their workload increase at a time when they are also being asked to provide extra care for people in the community with chronic conditions which put them at greater risk of contracting coronavirus.

A letter to trusts across the country said hospitals must: “Urgently discharge all hospital in-patients who are medically fit to leave. Community health providers must take immediate full responsibility for urgent discharge of all eligible patients identified by acute providers on a discharge list. For those needing social care, emergency legislation before Parliament this week will ensure that eligibility assessments do not delay discharge. New government funding for these discharge packages and to support the supply and resilience of out-of-hospital care more broadly is being made available.”

The guidance says such patients would include those occupying beds while awaiting discharge, likely to be elderly so-called bed blockers who are awaiting for care places in the community.

However, hospitals are also being told to discharge anyone who has been in hospital for more than 21 days. This could potentially include cardiac patients awaiting surgery.

The Government has also ordered the cancellation of non-urgent, elective surgery from April 15 but has given hospitals the go ahead to begin winding these down over the next 30 days.

A spokesman for the Save Southend NHS said it was questionable whether there was capacity in the community to take on such a huge increase in workload.

The campaign group said: “Community health and social care struggle in normal times to effectively provide timely care, let alone in the Covid19 weeks and months we will have ahead, with the added challenge of a depleted workforce.”

Havens Hospices says it is still admitting patients but is only allowing essential staff to enter Fair Havens and Little Havens care wards.

“The charity is also continuing to work in the community.

Chief executive Steve Smith said: “Our front-line workforce are still risking their own health to provide hospice care to others and we cannot thank them enough.

“We have suspended all volunteering except our charity shops whilst they remain open.

“Any staff or volunteers within the ‘at risk’ categories are being asked to self-isolate in line with government guidelines.”

Mr Smith added: “There is no easy way to put this – our ability to raise the money needed for our care services is going to suffer.

“We’re also looking to reschedule some of our upcoming public fundraising events. Full details will be posted on our Havens Hospices fundraising page.”

“Whilst your focus rightly needs to be on yourself and your loved ones now, I would like to make a personal plea for you to still do what you can to support Havens Hospices during these times. No matter how big or small, your gift or gesture will help us continue ‘Making every day count’ for the patients and families who need us more than ever.”

“I have no doubt that, as a charity, we will get through this. There are some tough times ahead for us all. We’ve faced some incredible challenges over the last 37 years, and this may just be our toughest one yet.

“But I have faith that in our dedicated and passionate supporters will do all they can to keep focusing on our Vision – making every day count.”

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