A SON found a way to visit his sick mother at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, and wants to show people they can lift family members’ spirits despite the Covid-19 restrictions.

Paul Scates's mum Beverley, 65, was admitted to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, and due to the current restrictions, was only allowed one visitor, her husband Norman, 70.

To get around this, Paul, with help from the nurses, managed to locate his mum’s window and surprise her.

Paul, 40, said: “I was sat there the night before and thought I need to see her. You can’t leave flowers but I took some for her to see.

“A lot of her friends kept ringing and asking how she was, for me to manage my stress levels. I thought I’d let them see her.”

Paul filmed his surprise for his mum, who was emotional at the window.

“It is just about connecting, it is the surprise element,” he added.

“The staff were amazing and very swift. I spoke to the charge sister and said I need to know what window it is.

“With the help of staff and nurses I finally reached the correct window.”

Paul said he managed to find the courtyard and the correct window and phoned his dad when he was there.

His dad then persuaded Beverley to come to the window where Paul was waited with the flowers.

He continued: “She said she didn’t think she needed it but it lifted her spirits.”

Paul works in mental health as a peer specialist, and said he hoped his story showed others there are ways to make people who are struggling feel less alone.

Beverley has also now been discharged from hospital and is continuing her recovery at home.

Paula Shobbrook, director of nursing and midwifery at the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals said: “We have had to make many changes to our visitor guidance to protect our patients and staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I know how difficult this has been for both patients and their families and I thank everyone for their patience and understanding during these times.

“Ward teams have worked hard to support our patients to communicate through other ways, including via video calls, as we appreciate how important it is to stay in touch.

“We have introduced guidelines for visitors, available on our website, so that most patients can now receive one visitor for a prearranged time.”