VISITING restrictions have been imposed at Winchester hospital as the coronavirus outbreak continues.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, has put measures in place to protect patients, staff and the wider community.

Brought into effect yesterday morning (Wednesday) the trust will also be restricting visiting at its Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and Andover War Memorial Hospital.

In a statement the trust has said that it made the “hard decision” in order to “help reduce the spread of COVID-19”

“Visiting patients in our inpatient wards or escorting them in outpatient departments will not be permitted unless exceptional circumstances apply,” the statement said.

“This will be solely at the discretion of the nurse in charge of the relevant ward and permission must be sought before arrival on site.”

It continued: “These restrictions have been put in place to ensure the safety of our patients, staff and visitors. We know that not being able to visit your loved ones when they are unwell is difficult and we are doing everything we can to allow as much access as is safe.

“Please consider alternative ways of staying in contact with your loved ones while they are in hospital, such as telephone calls. If you wish to visit a patient in receipt of palliative/end of life care you may continue to visit, but are still urged to contact the ward before you travel.”

Some services have also been reduced, and patients whose appointments, procedures and surgeries are affected, they will be informed in advance.

The trust has said that if you are not contacted your appointment, procedure or surgery will go ahead as planned.

Visitor guidance also includes:

- Strong recommendations that children under 16 should not visit in any circumstances

- In birthing centre/maternity units, visiting is restricted to birthing partners only

- In paediatrics, visiting is restricted to parents/legal guardian only

- Only one visitor/escort per patient is permitted in the emergency department or ambulatory care units at any time

- On all wards no more than one visitor per patient is allowed at any time – this includes all outpatient departments

“Given the risk of spreading infection and the danger to your own health as well as those around you – in line with national guidelines – please give seriously consider if it is safe for you to visit one of our sites in any circumstances,” the statement added.