Visitor FAQs

Visiting rules

Inpatients

Inpatients can have up to two visitors a day between the hours of 8.00am and 8.00pm for as long as needed (you do not have to book a slot - but it must be the same visitors for the day).

Haematology and Oncology inpatients can continue to have one visitor per day, between the hours of 8.00am and 8.00pm - please book a slot with the ward.

Children

Patients in Children's Services can have two parents or guardians with them for as long as needed (but no siblings).

Maternity

Maternity inpatients who are not on the labour wards can have up to two visitors a day with them between the hours of 8.00am and 8.00pm (birth partner and one other nominated person) - this only applies to inpatients and not to outpatient or scan appointments (more information below).

Please also visit Maternity Services

Inpatients with COVID-19

If you are visiting someone who has COVID-19, please speak to the Ward Manager before attending.

Patients at the end of their life

Please speak to the nurse in charge.

Patients who cannot make decisions for themselves

Please speak to the nurse in charge.

Exceptional circumstances

Some exceptional circumstances will require case-by-case assessment, for example:

• patients with learning disabilities
• designated carers
• patients who can't make decisions for themselves.

Please discuss with the ward manager or nurse in charge.

Before visiting

We would ask all visitors to consider the following questions before attending our hospitals:

Have you tested positive for COVID-19 in the past ten days?

Do you have:

• a fever
• a new continuous cough
• a change in sense of smell or taste
• shortness of breath
• feelings of tiredness or exhaustion
• body/muscular aches
• headache
• sore throat
• nasal discharge/congestion
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea or nausea?
  

If you answer 'Yes' to any of the above - we apologise, but for the safety of our patients and staff we cannot allow you to visit.

If you answer 'No' to all of the above - we will ask you if you can do a lateral flow test on the day of your visit if at all possible.

If someone in your household has COVID-19, please follow the national guidance around keeping yourself and those around you safe before coming to our hospitals.

Masks

Updated 6 July 2022

Visitors must wear masks in all clinical areas.You do not have to wear masks in other areas, but we encourage you to do so and will support you if that is your choice.

Patients must wear masks if they have symptoms of COVID-19, or have tested positive for COVID-19, or have symptoms of a respiratory illness. They must also wear masks in clinical areas, such as on our wards.

Vaccination status

We strongly recommend that all our visitors have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, plus a booster, especially in light of the emergence of the Omicron variant.

Thank you so much for helping us keep our patients, visitors and staff safe.

A&E attendances

Patients in our Emergency Departments, Emergency Assessment Units, GP referral units and the Eye Hospital Emergency Department can have one accompanying visitor at a time.

Outpatient appointments

Outpatients can have one person with them at their appointments, including Oncology and Haematology.

Social distancing in Outpatient Departments has reduced from two metres to one metre.

Keep in Touch

We offer a Keep in Touch service to help you contact loved ones in hospital / hospice.