Arrangements for Visitors
A family member, a friend or neighbour attending the hospital to pay a visit to a patient and will be welcomed to do so during the stated core visiting times.
Adult Wards: 11am-8pm
Paediatrics and Neonatal Unit: 11am-8pm
Maternity: 11am-8pm
Intensive Care Unit: please contact the unit for details
Arrangements for Care Partners
Someone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support and will be welcomed to be with the patient so at any time.
Adult Wards: care partners any time
Paediatrics and Neonatal Unit: Parents or guardians any time
Maternity: Labour ward partners any time | ante and post-natal partners 9am-9pm
Intensive Care Unit: please contact the unit for details
Guidance for children visiting loved ones
Visitors’ Charter
What we please ask from you:
- Be kind to staff, patients and other visitors.
- Follow visiting times and only have two visitors at a time.
- Not to bring children under 16 years to visit, unless in maternity or children’s wards
- To leave the room if asked to by staff, to give private time for care.
- To kindly step aside for a moment if asked, to help our housekeepers keep the area clean and tidy
- Tell us if there is anything special we should know about your loved one, to help us care for them better.
- Tell us if you want to help with your loved one’s meals or care.
- Bring helpful items for your loved one like glasses, clothes, shoes or toiletries.
- Use the general public toilets, not patient ones.
- Keep noise levels low.
- Take short breaks so your loved one can rest.
- Do not visit if you feel unwell, or within two full days of sickness or diarrhoea.
- Gel your hands when you come in and when you leave.
- To take a seat using chairs, not patient beds.
- Help keep the bed space tidy.
- Not to smoke or vape anywhere in the hospital or grounds.
- To be patient if staff are busy with care or giving medicines.
- To know that staff can only talk to you about your loved one’s care if your loved one says it is okay.
- Please note that food and drink on the wards are for patients only. If you’d like refreshments, our staff will be happy to guide you to our nearby restaurants, cafes or vending areas.
What you can always expect from us:
- We will welcome you and be kind and polite.
- We will support families and carers who want to help.
- We will keep the hospital clean and safe.
- We will supply soap and hand gel for washing hands.
- We will do our best to stop the spread of germs. Sometimes this means we may need to limit or stop visiting.
- If it is okay with the patient, we will keep their main contact updated.
- We will listen to your feedback.
- We will not allow abuse of our staff.
We will act to keep everyone safe.
Infection prevention and control
Visitors to our hospitals are reminded:
- If you are unwell, please don’t visit until you are feeling better. If you have symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting please do not visit the hospital until you have been clear of these symptoms for at least 72 hours.
- Hand hygiene continues to be very important. Please ensure you regularly use alcohol hand rub available to clean your hands both before and after you visit a loved one. This is available in ward and department areas.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after going to the toilet, to prevent the spread of infections.