Limited hospital visiting to resume from next month, announces Health Secretary

The Health Secretary has announced that limited hospital visiting will resume from next month.

Jeane Freeman MSP said from the 26th April, one visitor for each patient will be allowed.

This is subject to the spread of coronavirus continuing to be limited.

But she warned that although the move represents "an important step towards normality", it won't be a return to "normal visiting".

Guidance will be issued to health boards to make sure the safety of visits is maximised.

Jeane Freeman MSP said: "Subject to the continued suppression of the virus, hospital visiting will restart from 26 April.

"Initially, only one visitor will be allowed for each patient.

"We will be issuing guidance to our health boards to help them ensure that visits are as safe as possible."

Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has also announced that most social care workers will get a £500 one-off pro rata thank you payment next month.

Staff working in registered adult social care or children’s residential care services who have been employed for a minimum of a continuous 4 week period between 17 March and 30 November 2020 will be eligible for the payment, including those who have since left or retired.

It includes staff employed by councils or health boards, third, voluntary, charitable and private sectors as well as personal assistants who are employed directly by the person they support or their family.