Paula Shobbrook, chief nursing officer, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to welcome more visitors back into our hospitals, as we know how important visiting is for our patients’ wellbeing and mental health. It improves communication with family members and can reduce a visitor’s anxiety about their loved one’s condition.

“While this is a positive step, allowing visiting is really challenging during a pandemic and our priority must continue to be the safety of all patients, staff and visitors. We’re also still treating patients with Covid-19 and have strict infection control measures in place which our visitors must follow.

“Covid is still with us so it’s really important to follow all of the public health measures in place to protect our loved ones and our wider community.”