Visiting restrictions in Ayrshire's two biggest hopsitals are changing from today.

From today (October, 20), each patient will be able to have one designated visitor per day.

Visiting at Crosshouse Hospital and Ayr Hospital was limited to 'essential only' by NHS Ayrshire & Arran last month, to deal with rising covid cases.

The new changes apply to all areas of the hospitals, except COVID-19 wards or any ward experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19. In these areas, essential visiting will continue.

All visits must be pre-arranged to allow social distancing measures to be maintained within our ward areas.

Visitors are being asked to contact the ward to arrange their visit in advance.

Visits that have not been pre-booked cannot be accommodated.

Guidance on all visiting arrangements can be found on the NHS Ayrshire & Arran website.

All of other hospital visits in Ayrshire remain unchanged and will continue to support two designated visitors. ‘Virtual visiting’ (video calling) is also available on all sites.

Jennifer Wilson, Interim Nurse Director, explains: “We are looking forward to being able to welcome visitors back into our acute hospitals and know this will have a hugely positive effect on our patients".