Visiting rules relaxed at Hampshire hospitals
It coincides with lockdown easing across the country
More people are going to be able to see their loved ones at our local hospitals.
The Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has announced they are relaxing visiting restrictions due to the ongoing decline in COVID cases in the area and the easing of lockdown.
The trust runs Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and Andover War Memorial Hospital.
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust chief nurse Julie Dawes said:
“We know how important it is for our patients to see their friends and family and are really pleased to be able to make gradual changes from today.
“Keeping our patients, staff and visitors safe is our top priority, and we will continue to closely monitor the situation in our hospitals and the wider community.
“As such, everyone who is coming to our hospitals must continue wear surgical face masks, wash their hands at regular intervals and socially distance at all times.
“We’re encouraging visitors to be driven to and from hospital by a member of your household wherever possible to minimise the risk of exposure to others.
"We’re also asking that visitors go directly to and from the ward in question and not visit other areas of the hospital.”
Visits must be booked in advance.
Children under the age of 12 are now allowed to visit the hospital except in maternity where siblings can visit or where a patient is receiving palliative or end of life care.