The Echuca man and his two sisters from Bendigo had not seen their elderly brother for a week after he was placed into palliative care last Wednesday.
Because of the hospital’s COVID-19 restrictions, only the dying man’s wife and son were allowed to visit him, albeit one visitor a day.
After a desperate plea in the Riv on Wednesday, ERH allowed the family to see him, with two in at a time.
“We’re relieved common sense has prevailed,” the brother said.
“The hospital has made the right decision. It’s just a pity it took the media to get action.”
ERH chief executive Nick Bush said the man was admitted for short-term palliative management 11 days ago.
However, once it was determined he was not able to go home, he was changed to ‘end of life’ care on Monday, October 12.
“At that time, visitor restrictions changed and following discussion with the family, additional family members added to the list of nominated visitors,” Mr Bush said.
“We are aware there have been instances where our messaging to visitors could have been clearer and this has resulted in family members becoming upset and dissatisfied with our approach. For this, we apologise unreservedly.
“It also appears that when a patient’s condition deteriorates and they are considered to be ‘end of life,’ the changes to visiting arrangements that apply to these patients are not always communicated in a timely manner. To ensure that in the future this is clear for all staff and visitors, information regarding visitor arrangements for general patients and patients who are end of life has been put together, posted on our Facebook page and available to all visiting family members.”
It states: “If you are providing care and support at the end of a person’s life, where the person is unable to go home from hospital and their condition is deteriorating in a manner where death is likely in the next few days (up to 14), up to two people may visit at any one time with no limits on the number and duration of visits.”
Mr Bush said ERH, like all hospitals, had the difficult task of balancing the need to protect vulnerable patients and staff from the risk of contracting coronavirus, and showing compassion for the family of seriously ill patients receiving end of life care.
“We are very aware of how challenging the current visitor restrictions are for patients and their families and make every effort to take into account the specific needs and wishes of patients and family members,” he said.
“We are guided by the directions from the Chief Health Officer that identify what is permitted in terms of visiting various patient groups. The intent of the visitor restrictions is to protect vulnerable patients who are predominantly elderly, many with chronic medical conditions and others with low immunity to diseases.”
An area in the hospital has been identified for families of patients with life-threatening or end of life conditions who live outside the immediate Echuca-Moama area to wait while other family members are visiting the patient.
“Our staff continue to manage this complex issue with kindness and compassion, understanding that, for many patients and families, the restrictions can be distressing. We are always happy to receive feedback from patients and family members about how we might improve our care and where appropriate make changes. We urge all visitors to talk to the nurse in charge about any issues and if they continue to have concerns, ask for this to be referred to hospital management.”
Full details about visiting arrangements can be viewed at and will be available to all family members visiting a loved one who does not have long to live.erh.org.au/visiting-patients-during-covid-19
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