Social Visits Update
We are pleased to advise that Social Visits will recommence at Northumberland on Monday 10th May 2021 albeit with a reduced capacity, allowing us to operate safely and comply with latest public health advice on social distancing measures and regulations around the use of PPE/ face coverings.
Visits will operate Monday to Friday afternoons and can be booked as normal by residents via the Kiosk for new allocated sessions as below:
Monday: HB 9 & 16.
Tuesday: HB 1-4, Gateway & CSU Main.
Wednesday: HB 5, 7 & 8..
Thursday: HB 10-12 & CSU VP.
Friday: HB 13 & 14.
Residents allocated weekly session will rotate to ensure fair access. For example if residents on a particular wing are allocated a visits session on Monday one week, the following week it will move one day to a Tuesday etc. This will be automatically adjusted on the kiosk so residents can identify the visits session. Residents must book their visit 48 hours in advanced so the necessary contact can be made with visitors to explain the new safe Covid 19 visit procedures.
To maximise visits opportunities each resident will be allowed 1 visit per month which will be 1 hour in duration. Residents can receive either a social or purple visit. Residents can book in one of the 2 x 1-hour visits sessions identified below:
1345 – 1445 Cohort 1
1445 – 1515 Resident and Visitor entrance / exit procedures.
1515 – 1615 Cohort 2
Residents will be informed by staff upon arrival where to sit and how to access their table as there are strict measures in place to ensure 2m social distancing is maintained.
Residents subject to shielding may receive a social visit as long as social distancing measures are adhered to.
No physical contact will be allowed during visits (including handshakes, handholding, hugs or kisses)
Who can visit?
Visits will only be allowed by people who are symptom free, who have not been asked to self-isolate and who have not recently come into contact with anyone who has symptoms or is self-isolating.
Who cannot have a visit?
Symptomatic residents under isolation.
New receptions and those who are returning from external hospital who are yet to complete their 14 days isolation on a specific unit away from the main resident population to prevent the spread of infection.
Face Coverings
All visitors aged over 11 years will be required to wear face coverings on arrival at the visitors centre and throughout the visit.
Facilities
There will be no indoor creche / play areas or refreshments available to further reduce visit movement to support social distancing. No property may be brought to the visits hall or handed in by visitors.
Searching
Searching during social visits will be in line with Covid-19 guidance and the use of appropriate PPE will be available.
We all understand how important social visits are to you and the impact of these having been suspended during the critical Covid-19 period over recent weeks. We acknowledge how the new ways of operating during social visits will feel different and may be difficult for all to adjust to. Please be patient, courteous and understanding of our new ways of working. Staff at HMP Northumberland will do their very best to try to make the visit experience as enjoyable as it can be.
