Visiting arrangements for Lincoln County Hospital and Pilgrim Hospital, Boston change tomorrow (Thursday) to better protect patients and staff during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust has reviewed arrangements to ensure that hospitals meet the Government 'rule of six' wherever practicable, and ensure that patients and staff are protected from the risk of infection in its hospitals.

Visiting will still be possible on hospital wards by booking a visiting slot in advance, but from Thursday, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) will only allow one visitor per patient per day, and only one visitor will be allowed per ward bay at any one time, regardless of the bay size.

In addition, people will no longer be allowed to visit unless they wear a mask, to protect patients and staff from the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Any exceptions to these requirements will be made at the discretion of the clinical team.

Director of Nursing Dr Karen Dunderdale said: "We have been pleased to welcome visitors back onto our wards since July, as we recognise the importance of our patients being able to see their loved ones during their stay in hospital.

"However, this needs to be balanced against the risks associated with having increasing numbers of people on our hospital sites during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

"With the safety of our patients and staff as a priority, we have determined that we need to limit the number of visitors on each ward at any one time, and ensure that anyone entering our hospitals wears a mask.

"We know that this may be difficult for some people who cannot wear masks and have a loved one in hospital, and we would encourage them to work with the wards to identify other ways to keep in touch, such as by video call or, where possible, meeting up outside."

Visiting remains restricted at Grantham hospital, as it continues as a COVID-free Green hospital site carrying out medically urgent and cancer surgeries.

Arrangements around birthing partners for maternity care also remain unchanged.

In addition, the Trust is reminding visitors about limits to what they can bring in for patients, to ensure that the number of items are limited for safe storage and to reduce infection prevention risk.

Full guidance around visiting including belongings can be found here.

ULHY says all visitors should adhere to the following advice:

All visitors must book an appointment in advance by contacting the ward where their loved one is staying between 8am and 2pm. Contact numbers for each ward can be found on the Trust's website.

There will be a maximum of one visitor per patient per day.

Social distancing must be maintained and masks must be worn as directed.

People must not visit if they have any symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, a new persistent cough, loss of taste or smell).

Visitors must also consider whether someone in their home who may be shielding or in a high risk vulnerable group may be at risk if others from the household visit.

Anyone with concerns or queries about visiting should speak to the ward, or the Patient Advice and Liaison teams at Pilgrim: 01205 446244 and Lincoln: 01522 707071.