They are facing lingering effects of the coronavirus pandemic, including strict visitor regulations at Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital, which allow for two visitors to see a patient at any one time.

The Courier understands there can be some flexibility in this, on compassionate grounds, but there are limits on safe room densities for staff and patients.

Finding a solution has become a race against time with Jim increasingly becoming weaker and oncologists and social workers saying he was unlikely to last until the weekend, let alone Christmas.

Jim was diagnosed with an aggressive bowel cancer in September. He celebrated his 50^th birthday on December 6.

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Sister Jane Barnard said the family, including extended family, had been abiding by BHS visitor rules since he was admitted to care via the emergency department on Tuesday last week. Now, they want a chance to be together as a family, one last time.

Jim feels calmer with the familiar chatter of his siblings when they are standing around, "talking rubbish", Jane said.

The family had been hoping to transfer Jim to BHS' Gandarra Palliative Care Unit but they believe he has become too weak to move. If Jim was in the palliative care ward on Ascot Street, additional visitors could be allowed in bigger rooms under compassionate grounds.

BHS rules stipulate general wards at the Base Hospital can only take two visitors per patient at any one time and visitors are asked to coordinate their visits under ongoing pandemic restrictions.

The family said nursing staff had been wonderful, and some concessions had been made.

In a statement to media, BHS confirmed it was working with the family in this emotional time.

"Ballarat Health Services has implemented infection prevention and control measures to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to those most vulnerable," the BHS statement read.

"We understand that each family's situation is different, and as such exemptions are being made on compassionate grounds including for the purpose of visiting those in palliative care.

"We have been supporting this patient and their family on this complex situation including providing compassionate exemptions since the patient's admission. We continue to work with them during this emotional time."

BHS also made clear when families were not able to receive exemptions directly from the ward, they can contact the consumer liaison office to further discuss their circumstances.

The Barnard family has organised a roster to ensure Jim is never left alone in visiting hours. Jane said the sisters just want to care for their baby brother.

There was one chance a few days ago when Jim was strong enough, that family could take him outside the hospital to an alleyway where they could be together.

"We're just doing whatever we can," Jane said. "When Jim grew sick and moved in with our sister 10 months ago, he asked to sleep on the fold-out bed, just to hear conversations, people talking, and that noise about the house."

Jane said Jim's cancer diagnosis was prolonged, partly due to navigating pandemic restrictions and him feeling unwell.

One of the sisters also has a bowel cancer diagnosis.

The family has spoken with Ballarat federal MP Catherine King and Senator Sarah Henderson, who reached out after hearing their story on Melbourne radio.

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