South Yorkshire hospital suspends all non-essential visiting

Visits will only be allowed for patients at Barnsley Hospitalwho are receiving end-of-life care or are terminally ill and in the late stages of their illness; birthing partners in maternity units; birthing partners to accompany mothers to 12 and 20 week ultrasound appointments; emotional support for women attending scans during early pregnancy ; parents or legal guardians in the children’s unit, and long-stay patients and those with dementia, at the discretion of the nurse or midwife in charge.

A spokesperson for the hospital said: "Due to the rise in cases of coronavirus in the community, non-essential visiting is to be suspended at Barnsley Hospital, with effect from midnight of Wednesday, October 14.

"We have taken this difficult and important decision to protect patients and staff.

"We understand this will be upsetting for patients and their families, however the restrictions are in place to reduce the number of people on wards and departments, and to reduce the risk of transmitting Covid-19."

Jackie Murphy, Barnsley Hospital’s director of nursing, said: “In light of the increased numbers of cases of coronavirus across our region, we feel we have to take action now to protect our patients, staff and local community.

“Suspending non-essential visiting is a difficult decision to make however, given the current situation in our communities, it is the right one if we are to reduce the spread of coronavirus and take care of our most vulnerable patients.”

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