PEOPLE with sick relatives in the John Radcliffe Hospital can now send them a letter to stay connected during the coronavirus outbreak.

Visitors are currently restricted to prevent the spread of the virus but Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the JR is launching a special delivery service.

It has been inspired by a similar initiative at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the county's community hospitals.

To send a letter either type the message directly into the email or attach it as a Word document and send to keepintouch@ouh.nhs.uk. All that is needed is the patient's full name and the ward they are staying on.

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This service is being trialled at the John Radcliffe Hospital, with a view to rolling it out to other locations within the trust.

Letters will be delivered from Monday to Friday.

Sam Foster, Chief Nursing Officer, said: “We are missing having family and friends in the hospital visiting their loved ones, and recognise how difficult it is during this time for them not to be able to come and visit their loved ones.

"I am really pleased that this new scheme will go some way towards enabling friends and family to keep in touch with their loved ones during this difficult time."