VISITING for in-patients is set to return to the county's two major hospitals from next week, the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust (SaTH) has confirmed.

It will be reintroduced at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) and Princess Royal Hospital (PRH), in Telford from Tuesday, May 3, after it was previously suspended in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Visitors will be asked to continue to help restrict the spread of the virus by following some key requirements, including wearing face masks and observing social distancing when in the hospitals.

All adult in-patients allowed one visitor per day, as well as continuing to provide the additional flexibility and support needed for compassionate visiting.

Separate arrangements remain in place for Critical Care, Maternity, Children’s wards, and the Neonatal Unit.

Hayley Flavell, director of nursing at SaTH, said: “Suspending visiting was a very difficult decision to make as we know how important it is to patients, and friends and family alike.

"But it was a necessary one given we care for some of the most sick and vulnerable in society.

"We are very pleased now to be able to welcome visitors back into our hospitals and will continue to do everything we can to ensure those we care for are supported by their own loved ones.

“We recognise the real impacts the restrictions had on those staying in our hospitals and we’d like to again thank our communities for their patience and understanding during this time.

"Covid-19 remains a very real issue for us, and the wider health system, and we ask that people continue to help us help our patients by following the new guidelines in place.”

Covid-19 numbers in the hospitals remain at significant levels and – in order to protect those being cared for, visitors, and staff – visitors will be asked to not attend if they are Covid-19 positive, are showing relevant symptoms, or have been in contact with someone who is positive.

Full details of the new arrangements in place for visiting can be seen on SaTH’s website at www.sath.nhs.uk and visitors are asked to please check the website before coming to the hospitals.

A spokesman added: "While the visiting restrictions have been in place, SaTH has provided a range of other options and alternatives to allow patients and their friends and families to keep in touch.

"The visiting arrangements and remaining restrictions will be kept under constant review in line with national guidelines."