Families to be forced to say goodbye to relatives dying of coronavirus on Skype

Heartbroken Brits dealing with the sudden shock of the impending death of a loved-one from coronavirus may be cruelly forced to use Skype to say their last goodbyes.

Family members may be blocked from seeing their relatives or even entering the area where they are gasping their last breaths as the deadly virus sweeps the nation.

Under-pressure NHS bosses are scrambling to find ways to reduce the spread of the killer bug and new official guidance suggests using "mobile devices and video calling" to say the final words to nearest-and-dearest before they die.

Doctors have been told to restrict visitors in intensive care wards as best they can and if the outbreak of Covid-19 reaches the levels boffins fear it might, embattled medics will also have to stop "non-essential staff and any families or friends" entering clinical care areas.

This means distraught Brits may never get to see dying loved ones in person, instead resorting to a Skype or other video messaging apps.

The guidance was issued to hospitals across Britain on Tuesday by the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine and the Royal College of Anaesthetists, reports  The Telegraph.

Doctors are being told to discuss using the drastic measure "particularly on compassionate grounds during end-of-life processes", the guidance says – while all NHS hospitals must have a senior clinician tasked with protecting confidentiality of sensitive data.

The Telegraph reports doctors have defended the new guidance as necessary in such an unprecedented situation – though UK Sepsis Trust founder Dr Ron Daniels has admitted it may appear "distasteful to some".

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However, he said if a "healthy 30-year-old grandson" wants to say goodbye to his dying elderly relative then "most doctors would take the guidance with a pinch of salt", said Dr Daniels.

And with the NHS at risk of becoming stretched too far, junior staff will be asked to take on more senior roles, the guidance also states.

Clinicians with "non-essential managerial roles" will likely be moved on to the wards and staff with "critical care expertise" could be given supervisory positions as part of the shake-up.

While all staff maybe given all level of tasks, from restocking and transferring equipment to completing admin and resupplying bed areas, the report continiues.

Newly-trained staff are also being advised not to manually ventilate Covid-19 patients who are struggling to breathe, while staff in general are being encouraged to offer support in decisions to take some of the weight off leaders.

“Leadership in a crisis is stressful and demanding. The clinical director alone cannot do everything,” it says.

“Ensure strong support of physical and mental well-being, focusing on emotional support, nutrition, hydration and sleep.”

Simon Stevens, chief executive of the NHS, has already confirmed most visitors will be barred from visiting hospitals in England, while doctors warned they could have to perform jobs they aren't properly trained for.

Mirror Online has approached the Department of Health and Social Care for more information on the report.

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