New visiting restrictions at Harrogate District Hospital due to coronavirus concerns

Harrogate and District NHS Trust has introduced new restrictions, including limiting visiting times to one hour per day per visitor. The visiting hour for wards is 6-7pm.

A spokesperson for the Trust, said: "We are asking the public to limit visiting and to consider other ways of keeping in touch, like phone calls. Visitors must be immediate family members or carers.

"They should not visit any health and care settings, and this applies to all inpatient, diagnostic and outpatient areas, if they are unwell, especially if they have a high temperature or a new, persistent cough, or are vulnerable as a result of their medication, a chronic illness, or they are over 70 years of age."

Visitors should also be limited to one per patient, unless:

• The patient is receiving end-of-life care

• The visitor needs to be accompanied - accompanying visitors should not stay in patient, ward or communal areas, and this applies to inpatient and outpatient settings

• They are a partner and birthing partner accompanying a woman in labour.

• No children under 12 should be visiting without the ward sister or charge nurse’s prior permission.

Hospitals and other health and care settings will restrict visiting to one hour per day at designated visiting times.

Slightly different rules apply to paediatrics and neonates – two visitors are allowed and this may include a child under 12. Paediatric trusts can use their own discretion on visiting hours.