With hospital visits still limited due to ongoing pandemic hospitals have brought in new ways to help families stay connected on Mother's Day.

For the second year in a row, restrictions over households mixing means that the day will be very different again this year, with loved ones unable to celebrate as they might usually.

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust has now reminded people of how they can still keep in contact, saying: "In our hospitals, we know that visitors are an important part of the well-being of our patients and their families. Wherever possible, we will continue to support you to be with your loved ones in whatever way we can.

"With visiting still limited due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we want to remind families and friends of the different ways they can keep in touch with their loved ones while in hospital."

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At the Royal Cornwall, West Cornwall and St Michael’s hospitals there is a Staying Connected service where family members and close friends can send a message or photograph through volunteer patient ambassadors.

They can email rcht.covidstayconnected@nhs.net leaving the patient’s name, date of birth and the name of the ward they are on (if known), together with the message they want to send, or they can call 01872 253793 and an ambassador will call them back.

For community hospitals, family and friends can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service team by calling 01208 834620 or by emailing cpn-tr.Palscft@nhs.net

Kim O’Keeffe, interim joint director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professions for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals and Cornwall Partnership Foundation NHS Trusts, said: "Special events like Mother's Day are a really difficult time to not be able to be with our loved ones.

"Many families across the country will be unable to be together this year and we will be doing everything we can to support mums in hospital."

"Many patients with smartphones and mobile devices are keeping in touch using our free hospital Wi-Fi. However, we know that not all patients have this technology and we are helping them to keep touch with trust devices, telephone and other messaging options."

Hospitals in Cornwall are helping patients stay in touch this Mothers Day. Picture: Getty Images

Hospitals in Cornwall are helping patients stay in touch this Mother's Day. Picture: Getty Images

The latest exceptions for visiting are as follows:

• End of life: all patients considered to be 'end of life' (Covid-19 positive or Covid-19 negative) can receive one identified visitor per day with prior arrangement (of maximum two individuals).

• Paediatrics and maternity: one parent and one birthing partner. Both parents can visit at the same time on neonatal and transitional care, and both parents can be present in the event of a critically ill child. Partners can attend 12-week scans and 20-week scans and those where bad news may be expected.

• Exceptional circumstances: these will be referred by the ward leader /sister or nurse in charge for senior approval.

In all circumstances visiting must be by prior arrangement and follow the track and trace principles by obtaining visitor details, instruction on the wearing PPE and completion of a risk assessment that is signed by the visitor.

Kim added: "We are currently reviewing our visiting policy to consider the government's four step approach to the lessening of lockdown restrictions and we remain committed to do everything we can to help patients and families keep in touch.

"We understand how difficult visiting restrictions may be, but we still need your support to help us minimise the impact of the virus and to keep our people safe, together. We want to ensure the continued health and safety of patients, visitors, those who use our services and our staff during this challenging time.

"I would like to take this opportunity to say Happy Mother's Day to all."