Dorset County Hospital is reintroducing visiting for its inpatients from tomorrow (Wednesday).

Each patient will be able to choose one named visitor and, where possible, this should be someone from their household or support bubble.

A booking system will be used by the wards to book a one-hour timeslot in advance, so please contact the ward before visiting.

Measures to reduce risk include:

• Visitors must not visit the hospital if they are self-isolating or suffering from any of the following symptoms: high temperature, a new continuous cough, a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste, migraine, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhoea

• All visitors must observe good hand hygiene by washing hands at hand wash stations or alcohol gel points, wear a surgical mask, apron and gloves

• Two-metre social distancing will be in place as much as possible

• Only visitors that have booked to visit will be allowed to visit

A spokesman for the hospital said: "In exceptional circumstances, for example during end of life care, up to four visitors will be able to spend time with their loved one. We will approach this with compassion and understanding to ensure the patient's safety and best interests are supported.

"No visiting is permitted for patients who are positive for Covid-19, except for compassionate reasons, for example end of life care.

"Visiting is further restricted on Moreton Ward, Prince of Wales Ward and the Intensive Care Unit.

"Patients attending our emergency department can only be accompanied by another person at the discretion of the department when appropriate. We also ask for only one parent to accompany a child.

"Please speak to Kingfisher Ward to agree visiting arrangements for parents of children staying on the ward.

"Birthing partners can accompany a woman in labour and attend 20-week scans."

All visitors to wards have to wear a surgical mask, apron and gloves and must arrive on the hospital site wearing a face covering. Surgical masks are available to put on at the main entrance, where hand gel is also available.

On leaving the ward, please dispose of your apron and gloves in the bins provided and leave the mask on until you leave the hospital building.

Virtual visiting is still encouraged and available. This includes the video Lifesize app which can be downloaded for free. More information is available here.

There is also an email service in which family, friends and carers of patients can send messaged to [email protected], indicating the ward, initials and date of birth of the person they are contacting.

Find more information about visiting Dorset County Hospital here.

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