VISITORS have been banned from visiting Dorset County Hospital bar in ‘exceptional circumstances’ as Dorset Council area lives under Tier 3 restrictions.

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has introduced the changes, which aim to limit the number of visitors and any possible spread of coronavirus or infection.

The hospital has recorded 29 coronavirus-related deaths during the course of the pandemic, with one death most recently confirmed on Wednesday, December 30.

In response to the Government placing Dorset Council area into Tier 3, the hospital’s NHS Trust have made amendments to its visiting guidance to protect its staff, patients and visitors.

People may only visit in ‘exceptional circumstances’ which include end-of-life care and must be from that patient’s household or support bubble.

Anyone who is allowed to visit must wear PPE, including a surgical mask, apron and gloves and must arrive at the hospital wearing a face mask.

Only one parent can accompany a child patient and birthing partners can accompany a woman in labour or attend 20-week scans.

A spokeswoman for Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust advised concerned people to contact the relevant ward for guidance.

She said: “Following the Government’s latest tiers review, visiting patients on our wards is now only allowed in exceptional circumstances to keep everyone safe.

“Where visiting is allowed, visitors must follow all the existing guidance as detailed on this page.

“Please remember to follow the Government guidance on tier requirements, including essential travel only.

“Visiting to our hospital wards is being managed in a controlled way to protect visitors, patients and staff by minimising the risk of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and other infections.

“You must not visit the hospital if you are suffering from any of the following symptoms: high temperature, a new continuous cough, a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, migraine, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhoea.

“Visiting is limited to one visitor for a maximum of one hour per day for each patient and visitors have to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).

“You must arrange a time to visit with the ward in advance.

“Only those in the patient's household or bubble can visit. Ideally this will be the same one person who visits throughout the patient's stay, apart from in exceptional circumstances such as during end-of-life care.

“Visiting is further restricted on Moreton Ward, Prince of Wales Ward and the Intensive Care Unit.

“Patients attending our Emergency Department can only be accompanied by another person at the discretion of the department when appropriate. We also ask for only one parent to accompany a child.

“Please speak to Kingfisher Ward to agree visiting arrangements for parents of children staying on the ward.

“Birthing partners can accompany a woman in labour and attend 20-week scans.”

It comes as the NHS Trust warned the hospital was 'extremely busy' over the weekend and advised people to only attend for serious or life-threatening injuries and conditions.