HOSPITALS across Lanarkshire will move back to restricted visiting as Covid-19 cases continue to rise.

Patients will now only receive one dedicated visitor per day if they are currently staying in an NHS Lanarkshire hospital. This can change on a day to day basis, but it must be the same visitor attending.

They can have close contact with their loved one but visiting will still be by appointment only which can be arranged with ward staff.

Bosses confirmed the move will ensure staff can maintain physical distancing within multi-occupancy rooms and across communal areas.

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"Essential visiting" will continue to be supported.

Those visiting loved ones in hospital are encouraged to carry out a lateral flow test beforehand. 

Trudi Marshall, Nurse Director said:  “We understand that patients in hospital are having a challenging time and want to have their family and friends around them for support. 

“Unfortunately, we have seen a rise in the number of Covid patients in our hospitals, and it is our priority to protect our patients and staff as much as is possible. This is why we have made the difficult decision to have one dedicated visitor each day.

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“However, we will review this regularly and as soon as it is safe to do so, we will expand visiting again by prioritising access for those closest to the patient and removing the very limiting time restrictions currently in place.

“Anyone with questions about visiting arrangements should speak to the nurse in charge of the ward.

“While visitors can have close contact with their loved one, they are reminded to adhere to physical distancing in communal areas of the hospital, wear face coverings and frequently wash their hands when entering and leaving clinical areas.