New healthcare measures for patients and staff are now in place within Man Care-owned hospitals, care homes and residential homes.

Last week, following a small number of unexplained cases of Covid-19, the body implemented restrictions on visits to these facilities.

Due to the limited amount of new cases, the decision has been made to revise these rules. From this week:

l Visiting at Noble’s Hospital, Ramsey Cottage Hospital and Manannan Court has resumed, with patients able to nominate two people to attend during visiting. Those nominated will be the only ones allowed to visit for this time. All visitors are required to wear face coverings at all times and will need to fill in the visitor registration form for contact tracing.

l Learning disability day services and visiting within learning disability community houses has resumed, with all visitors required to wear face coverings.

l Visiting at older persons day services and residential care homes will resume with individuals nominating two people allowed to visit.

All visitors are required to wear face coverings at all times and fill in the visitor registration form for contact tracing purposes.

l Restrictions for the emergency department at Noble’s Hospital are still in place, with no visitors being permitted, and one parent escorting a child during their stay.

l GP practices, dental practices providing NHS services and optician practices are continuing social distancing and the wearing of masks by patients and staff. Patients will be offered remote appointments on the phone or by video, with face-to-face consultation provided where clinically necessary.

l Individuals entering any Manx Care health or care facility for any appointment will be required to wear face coverings provided on entry.