RULES on who can visit patients at the John Radcliffe Hospital have changed.

Patients at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which also includes the Churchill, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and Banbury's Horton General, are still allowed one visitor, for one hour, each day, but now they must be from the patient’s household or designated support bubble.

As previously, one hour slots will be booked in advance by staff on the ward, who will contact named next of kin to arrange the appointment. Slots are available seven days a week.

Different arrangements, such as women in labour, child patients, patients at the end of their life, and patients with learning difficulties.

Visiting is still not allowed on wards where we are treating patients with Covid-19, and patients are expected to attend our outpatient departments unaccompanied unless there are exceptional circumstances.

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Patients attending our Emergency Departments and Emergency Assessment Units are also expected to be unaccompanied unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Sam Foster, Chief Nursing Officer at the Trust, said: “We really value the importance of visitors in our hospitals, and have appreciated the difference they have to our patients when under our care.

“We have kept our visiting policy under constant review since the start of the pandemic, and must have a degree of flexibility to make sure we are operating in the safest way for our patients and their families.

“We know this new measure may have an impact on some of our patients, and we’re grateful for everyone’s ongoing understanding and patience, as always.”