I can’t see my Nan. So, I work part time but I also work one day a week as a volunteer at my local hospital. Volunteers were stood down from wards some time ago now and so myself and others have worked on meet and greet where we essentially signpost visitors to the correct department and take patients belongings up to the ward. So when a couple of weeks ago my Nan was admitted to the hospital I knew i wouldn’t be able to see her and didn’t question it seeing as we weren’t even allowed on wards at the time. But things have since changed slightly. Volunteers still aren’t allowed on the wards in the sense of carrying out our usual role but we are allowed to take belongings to the patients bedside (no actual contact) and if a porter isn’t available we are permitted to transport an able bodied patient who is being discharged in a wheelchair down to reception to meet their relative.
So, I carried on as I was and took belongings up to relatives and transported a few patients off the wards. Then last week my mum asked if I wouldn’t mind taking a bag of nightdresses newspapers and drinks up to my Nan on her ward. I of course said yes as volunteers were supposedly allowed to do this now. So at the end of my shift i made my way up to the ward. I obviously had my volunteer’s top and badge on and when the HCA let me in I explained I was dropping off a bag for a patient who was my Nan. I was then told she would take it to her and I wasn’t allowed to do it. Don’t get me wrong I see why some people may have a concern, but I wasn’t about to run into my grandmother’s arms and hug her. But I’ve had clarification from my manager and apparently taking bags to a relatives bedside isn’t allowed. Yet I’m perfectly fine transporting other patients downstairs, so touching and carrying their bags, sharing a lift with them, and cleaning down the wheelchair they were sat in as well as other walking aids. AIBU to think this doesn’t make sense?