Kirstie Allsopp: Television presenter challenges the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on its rules around vaccinated people visiting patients

Popular television presenter Kirstie Allsopp took to Twitter to question why a fully vaccinated elderly woman couldn’t visit her husband in the hospital, who was also fully vaccinated.

The television presenter tagged the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in a tweet on Wednesday afternoon asking for clarification on why an 83-year-old man who had suffered a stroke and was being cared for at the hospital, could not be visited by his 81-year-old wife, adding that they had both been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

In response NHS Lothian tweeted: “Our hospitals follow national guidance. Visiting is restricted but poss in some circumstances, evaluated individually and daily. Vaccination doesn’t guarantee inability to transmit virus.

"It’s hard, we know, but the safety of all vulnerable patients needs to be considered.

Under the current coronavirus restrictions hospital visits are only permitted in exceptional circumstances, a provisional date of April 26 has been set for visiting to restart.

Ms Allsopp received dozens of replies to her tweet from people who believed the rules were in place for a reason, with one user responding: “When I was in for my cancer surgery last year my husband couldn't visit, I didn't like it but I understood, the rules are in place for a good reason, we all have to stick with it I'm afraid”.

Another said: “We do not know yet whether vaccinated people can still transmit the virus. Why take the risk in a setting where there are vulnerable people?”

However, lots of people understood where the presenter was coming from and shared their own views, one wrote: “Dear Kirstie, I really feel for people in this situation.

Kirstie Allsopp has questioned why one fully vaccinated elderly person cannot visit another at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

"I was in hospital for months after a terrible injury and I can tell you if it had been during Covid I frankly don't think i would be here right now. Being alone in hospital can be terrifying.”

Shortly after her original tweet, Ms Allsopp shared her thanks to those supporting her, she wrote: “THANK YOU to all the people who have taken an interest in my friend’s parents’ predicament and sent stories of similar heartache.

"If the vaccine is not putting an end to this what will? When do we recognise that some risk is part of life and compassion matters most?”

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