New online service means you can now send a message to a loved one in hospitals across Morecambe Bay

The messages can be sent to patients on the hospital trust's inpatient wards at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Furness General Hospital or Westmorland General Hospital.

Visiting is currently suspended on inpatient wards across University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust sites - apart from a few exceptions - because of coronavirus.

Sue Smith, Executive Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive, said: “We understand how difficult it must be to have a loved one or friend in hospital and not be able to visit them because of coronavirus.

“Although many of our patients are able to keep connected via smart phones this is not always possible this is another way that people can reach out to their relatives and can be a source of comfort when they are unwell.

"If you fill in the form on our website we will ensure your message is delivered to your loved one as quickly as possible. Send in your loved one’s name, date of birth and the hospital they are an inpatient in and we will ensure it gets to them.”

The form is available on the trust website at https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk/get-in-touch/staying-connected-your-loved-ones

More information on the visiting restrictions currently in place can be found at https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk/visiting-our-hospitals