Visiting Information

Being visited by family and friends can be a great psychological boost to those in hospital, as well as being a source of practical help. Of course we welcome visitors, although the needs and care of our patients must come first.

• Our standard visiting times are from 3 to 5pm and 7 to 8pm
  If you can't make those times, please talk to a member of the ward staff. Some wards, such as Maternity, have different visiting arrangements - find out more here. Many wards also welcome relatives and carers to help with feeding or personal care at other times: please ask the staff on the ward
• We ask that no more than two people visit at any one time.
  This is due to physical limits on space and the need to consider other patients
• We ask that you consider other patients whilst you are visiting
• If you wish to speak to a healthcare professional (e.g. Consultant, Sister/Charge Nurse, Senior Nurse), please speak to the nurse in charge of the shift

Infection prevention
Our patients may have to leave the ward for treatment and tests during visiting hours; you may wish to check with the ward before you arrive.

We would also ask people to:

1. Not visit the hospital if they or their children have any symptoms of illness, or have been unwell in recent days or come into contact with infectious symptoms either at school, nursery or elsewhere.
2. In particular, we would ask anyone - adult or child - who has experienced diarrhoea and / or vomiting in the previous three days to not visit the hospital and they should also contact their GP surgery for advice if they have any concerns about their health.
3. Consider, the necessity of the visit, how long will the patient be in hospital and whether or not a visit might wait until a patient returns home?
4. Seek advice from the lead nurse on the ward if they are unsure about infection control procedures.
5. Not sit on patient beds (this is an infection control risk).
6. Avoid bringing gifts of food or flowers into the hospital.

These actions have the sole aim of safeguarding patients and visitors and minimising any spread of infection, and are consistent with good practice across the country.