PRECAUTIONARY new maternity ward rules have come into force at Barnsley Hospital.

Only patients will be allowed to attend their appointments for the foreseeable future, with no visitors being allowed on the antenatal and postnatal wards.

Women in established labour will only be allowed to have one birth partner in attendance, and women attending elective Caesarean section may have one partner in attendance during the procedure.

The birth partner must not access the postnatal or antenatal ward at any time.