Visiting guidance

Visiting is welcomed and encouraged in a very careful and managed way to meet patient need while maintaining a safe environment for all.

Every effort shall be made to facilitate visiting that meets patients’ wishes. This means:

Anyone with symptoms of respiratory infection (COVID, flu) or feeling unwell should not visit

​Visitors will need to wear a surgical face mask within all clinical settings to maintain patient and staff safety. This includes consulting rooms, outpatient departments and when mobile within hospital wards.

It is important that visitors clean their hands-on entry to a ward of department and again as they are leaving. If you require assistance, please ask a member of staff

Visiting is by appointment only and visitors should contact the ward Senior Nurse/Midwife to arrange a time to visit

Visiting may be restricted if there is an outbreak of infection is confirmed or under investigation in order to protect visitors and patients from exposure. Even in the event of outbreak compassionate visiting will be facilitated on risk assessment with the visitor and patient

Visiting specific areas - more details below

In a six bedded bay, no more than three patients receiving visitors at a time in a bay – up to three patients can have two visitors at the same time for up to two hours per day, visiting times to be planned to avoid overcrowding and allow staff to continue to provide clinical care

The person must be agreed by the patient

All visiting must be pre-booked in advance with the ward – please telephone the ward to book (see hospital ward information for telephone numbers or Tel: 0300 131 4500)

Visitors will be triaged and asked to postpone their visit if they feel unwell or have respiratory symptoms. Visitors will be advised if the person they are visiting or those in close proximity have active respiratory virus infections such as COVID or seasonal Influenza

If visiting a patient where the COVID-19 risk is higher, visitors will be required to wear an apron and fluid repellent surgical face mask and to wash their hands. Visitors should consider their own health risks when deciding to visit in such instances

Visiting is allowed between 10am and 7pm

Patients receiving domiciliary care and who have visitors at the time of healthcare staff attending, are asked to avoid overcrowding by asking their visitor to remain in another room while care is being given unless the visitor is needed for emotional support.

A patient may be accompanied by someone important to them. However, in the case of overcrowding or recommendation by the nurse in charge the visitor may be requested to wait outside the area

Patients with respiratory symptoms who are required to attend for emergency treatment should wear a facemask/covering, if tolerated, or offered one on arrival

Access to maternity outpatient areas is available to one birth supporter

We respectfully ask that children are not brought to outpatient appointments or the inpatient area

Two birth supporters can accompany pregnant people/woman on the labour ward when in active labour

Access to the Maternity ward and EMU is – 9am to 3pm and 3pm to 9pm. One birth supporter can attend for a six-hour period. This must be pre-booked and is limited to two pregnant or newly birthed people having a birth supporter at the same time (per four-bedded bay)

Pregnant people/woman should identify a birth supporter who is well and free of infection to maintain a safe environment for the pregnant people/woman and those caring for them

Parents should not attend neonatal units if they have a confirmed respiratory infection such as COVID-19 or flu. If they are unsure they can wear a face mask

A patient may be accompanied by someone important to them. However, in the case of overcrowding or recommendation by the nurse in charge the visitor may be requested to wait outside the area

Patients with respiratory symptoms who are required to attend for urgent treatment should wear a facemask/covering, if tolerated

Accordion

We recognise the importance of extended visiting for carers of adult patients, when supporting an adult with additional vulnerabilities, where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed, visiting is supported on a patient by patient basis

Some patients have individual visiting plans

Parents/Siblings/Grandparents/Guardians are welcome to visit by appointment as agreed with the nurse in charge

Only one parent/carer resident overnight due to space and ability to access emergency equipment by the bed space

Visitors need to wear a face mask when visiting oncology and extremely vulnerable patients as part of protective measures.

We recognise the importance of extended visiting during end of life care. Visits will be agreed by the nurse in charge and accommodated whenever possible

Spiritual, emotional, and religious support can be assessed and where appropriate provided by the healthcare chaplain or an external faith leader

Visitors who are unable to wear a mask when advised to do so should be advised of the possible risks to determine if visiting can be safely supported with reasonable adjustments.

Do not visit if you have symptoms of COVID-19

Please do not visit if you have symptoms of COVID-19, if you are self-isolating or if you have been identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19.