From today [Monday, August 2] more people will be permitted to visit loved ones in Ayrshire & Arran's NHS hospitals.

The health board has moved to level one visiting as described in the national COVID-19 visiting guidance for hospitals in Scotland. 

This means that, where possible, at least two people from the same household will be able to visit their loved one at the same time. 

If the visitors are not from the same household and physical distancing cannot be maintained, visits can take place separately.

Jenny Wilson, Interim Nurse Director, explains: “The pandemic has created an unprecedented situation, which meant we had to introduce restrictions on visiting our hospitals.

“We know this has had a significant impact on patients and their loved ones, as well as our staff. The importance of support from family and friends to those in hospital cannot be overstated. Having a visitor brings comfort to both the person in hospital and to the person visiting.

“As restrictions ease in our communities, we are now able to look at lifting some of those restrictions. However, we need to minimise any risk and ensure we do what we can to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in the hospital environment.

“As a result, the removal of any visiting restrictions must take place in a measured and gradual manner and may be subject to change without notice due to a variety of factors, such as a local outbreak or rising community prevalence.”

Information on the new visiting arrangements can be found on the NHS website.