VISITORS are being allowed back on to the wards at the Royal Bournemouth and Poole Hospitals as they see fewer patients with coronavirus.

Just one visitor will be allowed for each patient for one hour a day and advance bookings will have to be made.

The news comes as the hospitals welcome a fall in patients suffering from COVID 19.

But hospital managers have warned against complacency and said strict social distancing and hygiene measures must still be followed.

Fiona Hoskins, Deputy Director of Nursing, said: “It is really encouraging to see far fewer patients in our hospital who have coronavirus, and to see some elements of hospital life start to return, for example visiting restrictions starting to relax and some routine services and appointments taking place.

“However, we must remain vigilant. Coronavirus has not gone away and could be with us for at least the next 12 months.

“Our staff continue to work incredibly hard to care for all our patients in a safe environment and we need your continued support to enable us to carry on doing this. For visiting, we’re inviting people to book appointments so one person can visit once a day, for one hour.”

She said hospital visitors re being encouraged to wear face coverings, which may become compulsory from next week.

She added: “There will still be some restrictions due to social distancing measures which we appreciate can be difficult, but it is essential to slow the spread of the infection.

“Signs are being put up all around our hospitals advising staff, patients and visitors to walk on the left, and where to stand when waiting for lifts etc so please do look out for these. And we must continue to stress, if you have any symptoms of the virus or are self-isolating due to a household member, you must not come in to our hospitals.”

Until now, only essential visitors have been allowed at the hospital such as a person’s main carer or a birthing partner.

At Poole Hospital there are currently no patients with coronavirus in the critical care unit.

Dr Matt Thomas, acting medical director, said: “We are seeing encouraging news at Poole Hospital with the numbers of patients admitted for Covid-19 reducing, especially in our critical care unit where we currently have no patients receiving treatment.

“We remain aware of the potential for a second surge therefore social distancing remains critical.”

Signs are being put up to help people navigate their way around the hospital.