Alice House Hospice in Hartlepool restricts visitors' access to delay spread of coronavirus

As of Monday, March 16, the hospice’s main building in Wells Avenue, Hartlepool, has limited access to anyone except patients’ immediate family until further notice.

It says this is a precautionary measure to help protect patients and staff and delay the spread of the virus.

Tracy Goodall, Alice House CEO, stated: “We appreciate that this may cause inconvenience and we are very grateful for your support and understanding that we must do everything we can to protect our patients and staff.

“This is a precautionary measure and will take immediate effect until further notice.

“More updates will be posted as we confirm access to other areas of the hospice site and regarding hospice events.”

All services delivered from the Holistic Wellbeing Centre are still going ahead as planned until further notice.

The next big upcoming event the hospice is set to hold is its Memory Stroll at the Heugh Battery Museum on April 19.

Over 70 people took part in last year’s walk.

The hospice’s Colour Run is due to take place on Saturday, June 20, and its Dogs Big Day Out on July 12.

The move by Alice House Hospice to limit access by visitors follows similar action taken by care homes across the North East which have closed to all but essential visitors.

They include Hill Care which has homes including Queens Meadow Dementia & Residential Care Home in Hartlepool, and Bannatyne Lodge Nursing & Residential Care Home in Peterlee.