THE ROYAL Bournemouth Hospital has devised a way for patients to keep in touch with their friends and family while visiting restrictions are in place due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

The Trust has launched a ‘Keeping in Touch’ email address for relatives and friends to send messages, letters or drawings to their loved ones in hospital.

This initiative hopes to keep people connected with one another while strict visiting restrictions are in place.

Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Paula Shobbrook said: "The visiting restrictions in place are an essential part of reducing the spread of the virus which helps to keep our patients and staff safe. We understand that this separation is extremely difficult for our patients and their families and ourselves have been working to offer alternative ways for patients to stay in touch with their loved ones.

"We’re thrilled that the system is up and running and hope it will make a real difference to our patients and their family and friends and are very grateful to those volunteers who are making this possible."

When using the email address, please ensure you include the patients’ full name, address or date of birth and the ward they are on.

Add your message and/or attach one letter or picture and these will be printed (in black and white).

If your email is received before noon on a weekday, your message will be delivered on the same day.

The email is: Keepingintouch@rbch.nhs.uk

For further information about visiting guidance and ways to keep in touch with your loved one or friend, visit: https://www.rbch.nhs.uk/index.php?id=2968