VISITS to maternity wards in north and west Cumbria can continue, though all other visiting remains suspended.

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed that new mothers can continue to receive limited visits under the new tier 4 restrictions.

The trust said visits to the maternity wards at The Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital happened twice a day and are limited to birthing partners only.

No other visiting is allowed.

A Trust spokeswoman said: “We would like to remind our communities to use services wisely, however Rachel Fulton, matron for Maternity services, would like pregnant women to remember that maternity services continue to provide care and advice as they have been.

“Pregnant women are encouraged to contact the Maternity department or their community midwife as they would do normally if they have any concerns about their pregnancy."

Visit ncic.nhs.uk/services/maternity for more information.