Oxfordshire Hospitals to relax visiting rules

Visiting rules are being relaxed at hospitals in Oxfordshire from today. 

It means patients can see loved ones in person again, for the first time in weeks.

Each patient is allowed a visitor for one hour, once a day.

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 will only be available between Monday and Friday. 

Some patients will have 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 patients are being treated for with COVID-19, and patients are expected to attend their outpatient departments unaccompanied unless there are exceptional circumstances. 

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

The 'Keep in Touch' service is also available for those who cannot visit their loved ones - please see our news story for more information.