Kirstie Allsopp has praised Swindon's Great Western Hospital for its recent relaxation of restrictions around visiting patients.

The TV presenter has criticised a number of trusts on social media for keeping stricter Covid-19 visiting policies in place, claiming that it "hinders healing".

Earlier this week, Great Western Hospital announced that it was further relaxing restrictions across its maternity services.

The Location, Location, Location presenter shared the news and tweeted: "Bravo @GWH_NHS #compassion #healing #family"

On Monday, the Swindon hospital revealed that birth partners and siblings will now be able to visit the Hazel Ward between 9am and 9pm. 

And one birthing partner can stay overnight for the induction of labour and after the baby or babies are born.

Swindon Advertiser:

Another visitor can come between 2pm and 8pm.

Most GWH wards now welcome two visitors per patient for any length of time; previously, people could only come for one hour a day.

And, in April, the hospital reintroduced visitors in the Emergency Department and Urgent Treatment Centre so inpatients may bring one person with them.

Allsopp has been responding to Twitter users from across the country who say their hospital trusts only allow one visitor a day, often for a limited period of time.

She tweeted: "Discovering more than a year later [since the vaccine roll-out], and two years since Covid first came to the UK, that many hospitals still operate hugely restrictive visiting regimes is appalling. 

"Leaving lonely, disoriented patients for days and days without seeing the people who give them a reason for living is wicked!"