HEALTH bosses have announced the relaxation of Covid visitor regulations at University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) maternity units.

The changes, taking place from Monday, April 12, are for partners and support people coming into the units at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital.

They are also dependent on all partners/support people accompanying pregnant women to have had a negative lateral flow (LFD) test and to wear a face mask.

A UHD spokesman said: "As the spread of the coronavirus evolves, we are now able to relax some of our restrictions around partners/support people coming into the unit

"All visitors to the maternity unit are required to wear a face covering and use the alcohol gel available to sanitise their hands when they enter the hospital.

"A face covering must be worn at all times in the unit. If your chosen support partner is medically exempt from wearing a face covering, please contact the department prior to your appointment."

Women who have tested positive for Covid-19 will not be able to have visitors. However, they will still be able to have a birth partner present during their labour.

Visit uhd.nhs.uk and click on the latest news in the news section for full details about requirements to visit.