BARNSLEY Hospice has announced that visitors are no longer able to visit patients.

The hospice, which provides palliative care and supports people with active and progressive life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, heart disease or Parkinson’s.

Following the announcement from the government regarding social distancing and urging people to stay home to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the hospice has announced that visitors are no longer able to go to the hospice.

Its statement said: “We will be asking for a designated person from each family to contact the hospice who can then communicate with their family members.

“Some exceptions will be made for patients at the very last stages of life or who are deemed very vulnerable - we will allow one family member to stay with them at the hospice, but they will not be permitted to come and go.

“We continue to provide exceptional care and support to all of our inpatients throughout these unprecedented times and have made available Skype/Facetime facilities to allow patients to keep in touch with family and friends.

“Thank you for your understanding in these challenging times.”

The hospice’s charity shops and Dodworth donation centre is also closed until further notice.

The public are asked not to leave any bags of donated items outside the shops as no one will be there to bring them inside.