Hospitals in Northumberland and North Tyneside stop visitors due to coronavirus

Hospital visiting has been suspended across Northumberland and North Tyneside in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has said it has made the decision to stop visiting to protect its patients and staff.

The temporary measure comes into effect as of Wednesday with the only exceptions being for patients receiving end-of-life care, birthing partners in maternity units and parents or guardians in the children's unit.

iPads will be available on wards to facilitate ‘virtual’ visiting and friends and relatives will be able to ring a central number for information about their loved one in hospital.

Locations where the measures will be implemented include Alnwick Infirmary, Hexham General Hospital, Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital and North Tyneside General Hospital.

Dr Jeremy Rushmer, executive medical director at Northumbria Healthcare, said: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly. However, it is a sensible step to try and reduce the spread of Coronavirus in our hospitals, and in our communities, across Northumberland and North Tyneside.

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