Visiting hours have been scrapped at one of the county's biggest hospitals in the fight against coronavirus.

Medway Maritime Hospital made the announcement this evening with the changes coming into effect immediately.

All members of the public will not be allowed to enter the hospital site in Gillingham apart from three exception circumstances.

One visitor – either an immediate family or carer – will be allowed to visit a patient if they are

• receiving end of life care
• a woman in labour (who may have one birthing partner)
• a parent or appropriate adult visiting a child

The hospital said in a statement other exceptions on compassionate grounds may be made with agreement from the nurse or midwife in charge.

It said: "We apologise for any distress this may cause, however protecting patients and staff is our main priority during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak."

The changes have been made following after guidance was amended by NHS England.

Bosses had previously enforced severe restrictions to visiting hours.

Hospitals across the county have placed major limits to visiting hours to restrict the spread of coronavirus.

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