Visiting restrictions have been changed across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) hospitals so that all adult inpatients can now have one visitor per day in most circumstances.

This follows a decrease in the prevalence of Covid-19 in the community and is in line with a national easing of restrictions as outlined by the Scottish Government last week.

The change includes all wards, including mental health, with different visitors allowed day to day.

Furthermore all maternity wards will now be able to support two visitors, including one essential and one additional person.

Visits must be arranged with the ward in advance, however, to enable everyone to follow physical distancing rules.

Jennifer Rodgers, deputy nurse director at NHSGGC, said: “We know how important it is for patients to be able to receive the support of at least one visitor per day.

"The move to essential visiting was only ever temporary and, in light of the reducing impact of Omicron in the community and on our hospitals, we’ve worked as quickly as possible to enable the positive change for patients.

“While the news is welcomed, we would still urge caution and advise all visitors to ensure they’re familiar with the safety guidelines in place to help minimise any potential spread of the virus.

“These guidelines are available to view on the NHSGGC website under the visiting pages.”

In wards where a Covid-19 outbreak is being managed, essential visiting may be reintroduced on a temporary basis to help protect staff, patients and visitors until the situation can be resolved.

Visitors planning on making a trip to hospital to visit an inpatient are reminded of the following safety measures which remain in place:

1. Please consider the additional potential risk visiting may bring to patients, family members and staff, when deciding whether to visit.

2. Before you visit please undertake a Lateral Flow Test to help ensure you do not have Covid-19.

3. Unless exempt, you must continue to wear a face mask throughout your visit.

4. Please use hand gel on arrival, departure and when you come into contact with surfaces during your visit.

5. Maintain a physical distance of two metres wherever possible.

6. Do not visit if you have symptoms of Covid-19, or if you are isolating due to contact with a person with the virus unless in specific and limited situations such as end of life care.

Angela O’Neill, deputy nurse director at NHSGGC, added: “We would like to thank our patients and the public for their patience and understanding during this difficult and challenging time.

"We continue to monitor the situation and where it’s safe and appropriate to do so, we will look to further ease visiting restrictions as we work towards moving back to full person centred visiting.”

Full details of the changes to visiting can be found here.