Shropshire's emergency hospitals issue update on visiting

It comes after Shrewsbury & Telford Hospitals NHS Trust (SaTH), which manages both Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, cancelled visiting on Friday.

That decision came after the trust, along with Shropshire's health system, declared a 'critical incident' due to the number of patients requiring help.

Both critical incidents have now been lifted, as has the ban on visitors at the hospitals.

A statement from SaTH said: "We have reintroduced visiting at both our hospitals. 

"We would like to thank everyone for their support over the weekend after temporary visiting reductions were put in place.

"Please follow all guidance on our wards and departments, including a maximum of two visitors per patient at any time. 

"Please continue to wash your hands to maintain good hand hygiene.

"We are continuing to see high cases of winter illnesses in our hospitals. To help us reduce the spread of infection, face masks must be worn in all areas of our hospitals, clinics and offices. If you have any questions, please speak to a member of staff.

"We would also like to remind visitors that for the safety of their loved ones, our patients and our staff, please do not visit if you are feeling unwell. 

"If you have a cough, cold or flu like symptoms, please do not visit. If you have had diarrhoea or vomiting in the last 48 hours, please do not visit."

For more information on visiting the hospitals, go to sath.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/visiting-a-patient