Visting will only be permitted once a patient has been admitted for 24 hours and the hospital had determined whether they have COVID-19 or not. No visitors are allowed for patients who have COVID-19 except for compassionate reasons, for example patients receiving end of life care.

However, as the number of patients with confirmed Covid-19 infections in East Dorset reduces, some patients who have tested negative for Covid-19 in hospital may have one visitor, for no more than one hour per day.

Visitors must:

• ring the ward or unit to check they are allowing visitors and book their visit before travelling. This is essential to ensure that social distancing is maintained on each ward
• wear a face covering
• have no Covid-19 symptoms themselves and not be shielding due to an increased risk of serious illness from Covid-19.

Patients who were shielding at home before being admitted to hospital may only be visited by members of their household.

Fiona Hoskins, deputy director of nursing at the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals, said, “It is really encouraging to see far fewer patients in our hospital who have coronavirus, and to see some elements of hospital life start to return, for example some routine services and appointments.

“However, we must remain vigilant and be mindful that coronavirus has not gone away.”

Denise Richards, deputy director of nursing at Poole Hospital, added, “Our staff continue to work incredibly hard to care for all our patients in a safe environment and we need the public’s ongoing support to enable us to carry on doing this.”

For more detailed information about visiting, which is at the discretion of the clinical leader, visit the individual hospital websites.