NON-ESSENTIAL visiting is now suspended at Barnsley Hospital until further notice due to a rise in cases of coronavirus in the community.

Visiting will only be permitted under certain circumstances and PPE must be worn when visiting.

Patients who are receiving end-of-life care or are terminally ill and in the late stages of their illness, birthing partners in maternity units and birthing partners to accompany mums to 12 and 20-week ultrasound appointments are among the list of visitors still allowed into the hospital.

A spokesperson for Barnsley Hospital said: “We understand this will be upsetting for patients and their families, however the restrictions are in place to reduce the number of people on wards and departments, and to reduce the risk of transmitting Covid-19.”