HOSPITAL patients will be allowed visitors again from today after restrictions were eased following the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Each patient will be allowed one designated visitor who can stay for one hour once a day from Monday to Friday.

This means the patient’s chosen visitor can be their only visitor, rather than multiple visitors.

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Karen Bonner, Chief Nurse at the Trust, said: “We’re pleased to welcome visitors back to our hospitals.

“We understand how hard it has been and recognise the important role family and friends play in supporting patients during their stay in hospital.

“We will still have strict measures in place to keep our patients and visitors safe, and this may mean that the visitor experience is a little different to normal.

“We will keep this under review and would like to thank everyone in advance for their continued patience and understanding.”

Those who are chosen as a patient’s designated visitor will be informed they have been selected.

Visitors should not attend if they are feeling unwell. 

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There are some exceptions to the new rules, however — including greater access for those who are visiting patients with a learning disability or mental health issue, or for those visiting loved ones on end-of-life care or children.

Wards will remain closed to visitors where more vulnerable patients at higher risk of infection are being cared for, for example on cancer care wards.

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Where visits are not possible, Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust will continue to offer calls from friends and family to patients, as well as their ‘letter to a loved one’ service.