Hospital visiting now permitted by appointment

VISITORS are now able to attend Barnsley Hospital by making an appointment – and only in ‘rare circumstances’ will visiting not be permitted.

Hospital bosses suspended all non-essential visiting at the site in March due to ‘extreme circumstances’ after Covid cases more than doubled in less than a month.

There are currently 57 patients at the hospital with the virus – and none of those are on ventilation beds.

A spokesperson for the hospital said: “We recognise the contribution visiting makes to the wellbeing and the person-centred care of patients, so have made this important decision to allow patients to have some contact with their family members where appropriate.

“Visiting is now permitted in a risk-assessed manner.

“We ask everyone to wear a face mask at all times during their visit, to regularly use our hand hygiene stations, and to maintain social distance wherever possible.”