Hospitals in Gwent are to improve contact for family members who can't visit their loved ones in hospital due to coronavirus restrictions.
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has announced from today that it will have telephonists at each of its main hospital sites who will deal with callers looking for updates on relatives, with in-person visits currently severely limited across Wales.
The health board said it was aware of the "significant difficulties the public are experiencing when trying to contact our wards" and had decided to introduce the service seven days a week for three months.
Whilst telephonists will be unable to discuss clinical information, they will be able to pass messages to the wards and inform callers of when the ward will ring callers back.
For those who cannot get through to the ward, the lines will be open from 8am-10am, 12pm-2pm and 4pm-6pm.
The numbers are:
Royal Gwent Hospital and Ysbyty Ystraad Fawr - 01633 234748
Nevill Hall Hospital and Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan - 01873 733016
Grange University Hospital, County Community Hospital and Chepstow Community Hospital - 01633 493626
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said: "We are aware of the significant difficulties the public are experiencing when trying to contact our wards during these very challenging times. We sincerely apologise for the distress this is causing.
"We wish to reassure you that we are recruiting additional staff to support the ward areas. Whilst we recruit, we have secured additional telephony support at each of our main hospital sites, seven days a week.
"The telephonists will act as a link between callers and the wards. If the telephonist can answer your query there and then, they will do so.
"Whilst they will be unable to discuss clinical information, they will be able to pass messages to the wards and inform callers of when the ward will ring callers back."
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