VISITING restrictions will remain in place at Hampshire Hospitals as staff continue to cope with high numbers of Covid cases.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) which runs Basingstoke, Andover and Winchester hospitals, has said that it has taken the decision to continue limit visiting across its three sites.

The trust has said visited would only be permitted to end-of-life and palliative care patients, but approval must be given by the ward matron.

Separate guidelines are in place when visiting the trust’s children and maternity departments, with one support partner/ parent permitted to visit per patient.

Julie Dawes, chief nurse at HHFT, said: “Keeping our patients and staff safe is our top priority. As we continue to see a high number of Covid-19 cases, we have taken the decision to continue to limit visiting across our three hospitals.

“Visiting is limited to compassionate circumstances including patients receiving palliative and end of life care, and should be agreed in advance with the ward matron. Separate guidelines are in place when visiting our children and maternity departments, with one support partner/ parent permitted to visit per patient.

“We understand how important it is for families and friends to stay connected, and there are several ways in which loved ones can keep in touch with our patients should visiting not be possible during this time, including virtual visiting and our patient messaging service.

“Any visitors who are coming on site will be required to undertake a lateral flow test prior to visiting our hospitals and are advised that they will be required to wear a surgical mask at all times. It is essential social distancing rules are also followed.

“This guidance will remain under regular review, and we will share updates with the local community when available."

Last figures show that as of Tuesday HHFT was caring for 96 coronavirus patients.

NHS England data shows the number of people being treated in hospital for Covid-19 by 8am on February 8 was up from 93 on the same day the previous week.

The number of beds at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust occupied by people who tested positive for Covid-19 increased by 31 in the last four weeks – 28 days ago, there were 65.

Across England there were 11,471 people in hospital with Covid as of February 8, with 385 of them in mechanical ventilation beds.

The number of Covid-19 patients hospitalised nationally decreased by 32 per cent in the last four weeks, while the number on mechanical ventilators, has decreased by 44 per cent.

The figures also show that 63 new Covid patients were admitted to hospital in Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in the week to February 6. This was down from 89 in the previous seven days.

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