CHRISTMAS at Winchester hospital will be a little different this year as health chiefs have put a ban on decorations, but festive joy will not be lost entirely.
As staff at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital continue to fight Covid-19, Hampshire Hospitals have stopped Christmas decorations from being put up inside the site.
The move has been due to strict rules about Covid infection control at the Romsey Road site.
A trust spokesperson said: “Unfortunately this Christmas has to be a little different at our hospitals. In order to uphold our high standards of infection prevention and control practices that keep all of our patients and staff safe, we have had to look at other ways to share the Christmas spirit as Covid-19 continues to change how we work.”
Following a plea from chief executive Alex Whitfield donations were being sought for decorations that can be used outside the building and its grounds.
The appeal has now ended and decorations have been put up in the hospital grounds.
“We are so grateful for all of the support we have received from the local community and the donations of Christmas decorations to transform the front of the Royal Hampshire County Hospital – it will go a long way to keep some festive cheer going through what is a difficult time,” the trust spokesperson added.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here