VISITORS will be able to visit inpatients at Dorset County Hospital from tomorrow.

Visitor restrictions have been in place for more than two months at the hospital, in a bid to reduce spread of Covid-19. People have only been allowed to visit in exceptional circumstances, such as end of life care, or to attend births.

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has announced that as of Wednesday, March 10, each patient will be able to choose one named visitor and, where possible, this should be someone from their household or support bubble.

A booking system will be used by the wards to book a one-hour timeslot in advance and visitors are urged to contact the ward before visiting.

Alongside this, visitors must not enter the hospital if they have Covid-19 symptoms, must wash their hands at hand wash stations or alcohol gel points and wear surgical mask, apron and gloves.

The two-metre social distancing will be in place as much as possible and no children under 16 are permitted to visit unless for compassionate reasons at the discretion of the nurse in charge.

Only in exceptional circumstances, such as during end of life care, up to four visitors will be able to see their loved one.