People visiting those at Bridport Community Hospital will now need to take a lateral flow test before coming and provide proof of a negative result.

Following advice from NHS England, Dorset HealthCare now requires evidence of a test for anyone visiting inpatients at its hospitals in Poole, Blandford, Bridport, Sherborne, Shaftsbury, Swanage and Weymouth.

This also applies to all mental health inpatient settings across the county and the test is required regardless of a person's Covid-19 vaccination status.

The move is designed to help limit the spread of the virus to potentially vulnerable patients and trust staff. Anyone with symptoms of Covid-10 should not visit a healthcare site.

Cara Southgate, Dorset HealthCare's deputy director of nursing, therapies and quality, said: "We recognise the very important contribution that seeing loved ones makes to the wellbeing of our patients. However, while Covid-9 continues to be in circulation, we must remain vigilant and follow guidance which will help protect the health and wellbeing of our patients, communities and staff."

Before going to Bridport Community Hospital, visitors should also:

• Contact the ward to discuss local arrangements
• Remember patients can only see one named visitor
• Be ready to wear PPE, including a face mask - unless they provide evidence of exemption - and follow social distancing guidelines
• Limit the amount of belongings they bring

If you are unable to visit a friend or relative in person, it can be arranged for you to speak to them via a video call, also known as 'virtual visiting'. Visit dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk Don't forget to sign up to our newsletter below! You can submit your own news straight to Bridport Nub News by using the 'Nub It' button on our home page. This can also be done for events on our What's On page and businesses, groups and organisations on our Local Listings page , also by using the 'Nub It' button. Please like and follow our online newspaper on your favourite social media channel. You can find us @BridportNubNews on Facebook and Twitter.