Face coverings mandatory for all visitors and outpatients at Blackpool Victoria Hospital

Any visitor to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for urgent, planned and outpatient care will be required to wear a face covering or mask when entering any building on the hospital site from today (June 15).

Patients and visitors are being encouraged to bring their own face covering, which can be made of cloth and be reusable in line with government guidance, to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.

Visitors will continue to be provided with face masks when entering clinical areas of the hospital.

People who do no bring a face covering with them when attending hospital will be provided with one at the entrance.

Kevin McGee, Chief Executive of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "While we are preparing to welcome some patients back into the services that were temporarily suspended or changed, it is more important than ever that we do all we can to maintain everybody's safety.

"We need to keep the number of people inside our hospitals to an absolute minimum to help reduce the spread of coronavirus so that means were are not in a position to reinstate visiting.

"We appreciate this will be difficult to hear for some, but we hope they will understand that we have to do what's right to protect all those that are receiving care or working in our hospitals."

Due to the ongoing risks associated with Covid-19, visiting at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will remain temporarily suspended.

In exceptional circumstances, one visitor (an immediate family member or carer) is permitted to visit if:

- The patient is receiving end-of-life care

- The visitor is a birthing partner accompanying a woman in labour or at a 20-week scan

- The visitor is a parent or appropriate adult visiting their child

- The visitor is supporting someone with dementia, a learning disability, autism, or something similar - where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed

Visitors must be agreed with the nurse in charge of the ward before attending the hospital.

As well as the above restrictions, you should not visit any health and care settings if you or someone you live with is unwell, especially if you have any of the following symptoms:

- High temperature

- A new, continuous cough

- Loss of or change to your sense of smell or taste

The latest coronavirus guidance is available at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.