Free television and telephone calls for hospital patients

The Trust has agreed a package with its entertainment provider Hospedia to supply this to all bedside terminals at Lincoln, Boston and Grantham hospitals.

Premium channels will still be available at an additional charge to patients.

Last week, the Trust made the difficult decision to suspend all patient visiting.

The only exceptions to this are:

• The maternity department will allow one birthing partner to attend

• Parents who do not show the symptoms of infection can visit their children

Any other visits are by exception only and typically will be granted on compassionate grounds agreed in advance with the nurse in charge of the ward.

If granted, the majority of these visits will be taking place between 6pm and 7pm. No visitors under 16 will be allowed.

A ULHT spokesman said: “We can appreciate this may be frustrating for the family and friends of patients, but we can assure that it is required at this time. We hope by providing access to these facilities for free it will provide some comfort to our patients and their families at this time.”