Visiting or attending hospital during Covid
Visiting or attending hospital during Covid
We know how important a visit from a loved one is for our patients, their families, friends and carers. We are facilitating safe visiting in line with national guidance.
Our current guidance is set out below. We are regularly reviewing these to keep everyone safe.
Information for all visitors
- You must wear a surgical facemask when in our clinical areas, which includes wards and outpatient areas, at all times. If you are medically exempt, please provide evidence.
- You are encouraged to wear a face mask in all other areas of our hospital to help prevent the spread of infection to vulnerable patients.
- Before visiting, please speak with the nurse in charge of the ward to book your visit. This is to make sure that a patient’s visitors do not exceed the maximum amount of visitors allowed.
- We are facilitating flexible visiting for carers for our patients with Learning Disabilities, Dementia and additional needs e.g. interpreters. Please contact the nurse in charge for the area you wish to visit to discuss visiting arrangements.
- Do not visit if you have any symptoms of Covid-19 or any other infections (such as a temperature or diarrhoea / vomiting). If you are feeling unwell – even if you have tested negative for Covid-19, are fully vaccinated and have received you booster – you should not visit.
- You are not able to visit covid-positive patients apart from in exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstance include patients at the end of life.
Outpatient appointments (children and adults)
- One visitor may accompany a patient.
Adult inpatient wards
- Two visitors per patient for one hour a day. Visitors can be different each day.
- Prior to your visit, contact the ward for visiting hours and to book your visit with the nurse in charge.
- End of life care - An individualised approach is in place for each patient but in general daily visits of up to four people, per patient can be supported by the matron or nurse in charge.
Intensive Care Unit
Visiting the unit is at the discretion of the Nurse/Consultant in charge. We will always facilitate visiting for patients undergoing end of life care, and patients who are supported by named carers. Our general approach is for one named visitor on a case by case basis.
Please be mindful that we reserve the right to restrict visitors to ICU to protect patients with immune suppression, the risk of infection to visitors, or to reflect any changes in local and national infection control guidance.
Children’s ward (Hascombe)
- Two dedicated parents/carers are welcome to attend the ward during visiting hours, plus siblings. One dedicated parent is able to stay overnight.
- Visiting hours are 8am- 8pm
Emergency department
- Adult patients can be accompanied by one relative/carer.
- For child patients, we ask that one relative/carer and where possible no siblings. However, we appreciate that parents may need to share the supporting parental role
Special Care Baby Unit
- Parents have open access. Grandparents and siblings are welcome to visit whilst in the presence of the baby’s parent.
Maternity
Antenatal Clinic, Scans and Maternity Hubs
Partner’s are welcome to attend all ultrasound scans and antenatal appointments.
Please DO NOT bring children to any antenatal appointments or ultrasound scans. The clinics are busy environments with limited space and no facilities for children. There can occasionally be long waits for appointments or further tests that are required in the maternity unit. If you bring children with you, your appointment/scan may be rescheduled to support you to attend at another time without your children.
Maternity Ward Visiting
St Catherines Ward (Antenatal)
Partner’s are welcome to attend the Antenatal Ward anytime between 9am-8pm
Grandparents of the baby and siblings of the baby are welcome at the discretion of the Midwife in charge and must be pre arranged due to the nature of activities occurring on the ward. This will not always be able to be facilitated, so please do not just turn up as you may be turned away.
Shere Ward (Postnatal)
Partner’s are welcome on the Postnatal Ward from 9am - 8pm
Grandparents of the baby and siblings of the baby, can visit 10am-12pm and 6pm-8pm. Maximum of three people at a bedside at any time.
Delivery Suite
Two birth partners are welcome at any time while women/birthing people are on the delivery suite - this is not dependent on the stage of labour.
Keeping in touch with a loved one remotely
We know this is a difficult time for relatives who are unable to visit patients so we are doing everything we can to help you stay connected with your loved ones while they are in our care.