However, with the government’s Christmas guidelines changing on Saturday, allowing people in tiers 1, 2 and 3 to mix just on Christmas Day, Lincoln County and Pilgrim hospitals have cut their available visiting dates to just December 25.
Visiting at Grantham District Hospital is still not permitted due to it being a COVID-free site, which enables surgery and cancer treatment to continue.
Appointments at Lincoln and Boston will have to be booked in advance, with United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust warning that spaces will be limited to ensure as many patients get a visit as possible.
As well as this, new stricter rules have been published for visiting rights at ULHT sites, such as the wearing of a hospital provided mask, gloves and an apron when on a ward.
Patients are allowed just one relative to visit, and there is only to be one visitor per bay, regardless of the size of the bay.
Visiting will not be allowed at dedicated COVID-19 wards due to the risk of infection still being too great.
As always, there will be exceptions for the visiting rule, but only in certain cases such as visiting someone receiving end of life care.
Other exemptions include:
Visiting a significantly distressed patient with a mental health or learning disability
Partners attending a 12 and 20 week antenatal scan, as well as the 36 week consultant maternity appointment
If you are a birthing partner attending the birth of a child
Parents who do not show symptoms of the virus can visit their children on children’s wards and neonatal units (one parent at a time)
Andrew Morgan, chief executive at ULHT, said: “We have had to change Christmas visiting arrangements to reflect National guidance, but are still allowing some inpatient visiting on Christmas day, with guidance in place to make this visit as safe as possible.
“The guidelines and restrictions are in place to protect our patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and to limit the spread of this virus.
“We must remember that the fact that a patient is in hospital, already puts them in the vulnerable category so any visiting we allow, must be in line with protecting them as a priority.”
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.
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