Patient visiting suspended for Lincolnshire's mental health and learning disability NHS trust with immediate effect

Staff working for our local NHS are trying hard to prevent the spread of coronavirus and to protect the people of Lincolnshire from becoming seriously ill.

Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) has made the difficult decision to suspend all visiting to all of their wards across LPFT with immediate effect. This will be for all inpatient mental health wards in Lincoln, Grantham and Boston.

There may be visits granted in exceptional circumstances, but these must be agreed in advance with the ward manager and by appointment only.

Many of our wards now have access to iPads or computers to enable families to use  video calling and messaging to talk to their friends and relatives. If you would like to contact your loved one in this way speak to staff on the ward to arrange. You are also welcome to contact wards by phone if they have any questions.

Our carers team have also introduced a new patient postcard scheme as an alternative way for patients to receive messages. Family and friends can email our carers team with messages and these are transformed into 'postcards' and delivered to patients on the wards on behalf of the sender.

Anyone who would like to send a postcard to a patient can simply email the dedicated carers email address at lpft.carers@nhs.net, with a message and full name and date of birth of the patient, as well as the ward where they are staying.  Messages can also be transcribed over the phone by calling 07966 834977, Monday-Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm. 

The Trust appreciates this may be frustrating for family and friends, and for patients themselves, but due to the scale and spread of the disease, the Trust assures people this is what is required at this time. Staff on the wards will maintain contact with families by phone to discuss any changes to the patient’s condition and their care plans.