VISITOR restrictions at Hexham General Hospital and Haltwhistle War Memorial Hospital are finally set to be lifted.

The restrictions had been in place at all Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust hospitals since December 18 to combat outbreaks of flu and norovirus.

The rules meant that visiting was only permitted between 2pm and 3pm, and limited numbers to just two visitors per bed.

However, normal visiting hours will return on Tuesday.

Executive medical director at the trust, Dr Jeremy Rushmer, said: “We know that these restrictions have been hard on families.

"They really have been vital to the health of our patients and staff – as well as to the relatives themselves.

"It's no secret that we've been under enormous pressure this winter and have been hit hard – concurrently – by both flu and norovirus.

"I would like to place on record my thanks to all our staff who have gone above and beyond so often it is impossible to count.

"Equally, the support and understanding we have received from the community has been fantastic."

However, the trust cautioned that the winter pressures had not yet ended, and restrictions could return if patient safety demanded it.

Dr David Tate, consultant microbiologist and director of infection prevention and control at the trust, said: "No one is happier than I am that we can remove these restrictions.

"We imposed them due to genuine concerns caused by the sheer volume of flu and norovirus that was being brought into our hospitals.

"We’ve kept them under constant review and re-assessed them daily - something which won't change."

Outbreaks of flu and norovirus also saw several wards closed at hospital site, particularly in December.

However, the modern layout at Hexham with lots of side rooms, saw it fare much better than older buildings.