Visiting or attending hospital during Covid

A view of Royal Surrey County Hospital

You can find relevant information on visiting and attending our Royal Surrey County Hospital, as well as our community sites in this section.

Our visiting restrictions are following government guidelines. We will be relaxing these restrictions in line with the government's roadmap, with the next set out changes coming into effect from 17 May.

Our staff will be following the Hands, Face, Space guidance, and we ask that you do too. As such, please ensure you wear a mask when you come to the hospital - if you do not have a mask, then one will be provided when you arrive. If you are an inpatient, then staff will provide you with masks to wear during your stay. All patients (inpatients and outpatients) must wear masks at all times while in hospital, unless they have been risk assessed as unable to wear one.

All of our staff will be wearing the relevant level of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) depending on where you are in the hospital, and whether you are an outpatient or inpatient. If you do not think that they are wearing correct PPE or following the guidelines, please speak to them.

You can read more information relating to Covid-19 and what we're doing as a Trust by clicking here.

Visiting information for Royal Surrey, and our community hospitals

Visiting information from 12/4/21

Royal Surrey County Hospital, as well as our community hospital sites, will be closed to all visitors, except for the following:

  • Maternity are following the national guidance (see more below).
  • Paediatric visiting remains the same, with only one parent/carer allowed to visit per patient. 
  • Patients at the end of life can have up to a maximum four visitors, however this must be agreed by the nurse in charge or based on patient location considerations.
  • Patients who require the assistance of a carer e.g. learning disability.
  • One parent/carer may accompany their child to our Emergency Department.
  • One person may accompany the patient to our Emergency Department. However, unless End of Life or a carer they cannot follow the patient onto the ward.
  • One person may accompany the patient to drop-off and pick-up from Pre-Assessment Unit (OPD 15) only, unless they need a carer/interpeter.
  • Milford Hospital - window visiting allowed by appointment. 

If you have anything you would like to drop off to a patient, please use our Patient Property Drop-off service (you can find more information below).

Ward specific rules

Hascombe Ward

  • One parent/carer allowed to visit per patient.

Special Care Baby Unit

  • One parent can stay overnight and the other parent may visit between 8am-8pm daily, subject to the activity on the unit.

Maternity

  • One partner from the same household is welcome to attend the 12 and 20 weeks ultrasound scan only.
  • One partner to support women on the Antenatal Ward during the daytime.
  • One partner to support the woman on the Postnatal Ward from 9am - 8pm.
  • Two birth partners are welcome to accompany any women while they are on the delivery suite - this is not dependant on stage of labour.
  • Read more about maternity visting restrictions here.

These changes are subject to review, so please check this information regularly for updates.

Find out how you can stay in touch with your loved ones

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.

You can find out how you can stay in touch with your loved ones, including a Virtual Visit, on our Message to a Loved One page.

Drop-off service

Please note we are suspending Patient Property Drop off service over Easter (Friday 2nd April 2021 – Monday 5th April 2021). This service will start again on Tuesday 6th April as normal. If relatives or friends wish to drop property off over Easter they will need to arrange this directly with the ward. 

Our property drop off service allows family and friends to bring in personal items for relatives at Royal Surrey County Hospital and is currently available from 9am to 12noon, and 1pm to 3pm, Monday to Saturday. 

There is a booking line for appointments for our main hospital, which is available 8am to 12noon, and 1pm to 3pm (Monday to Friday) 0900-1200noon (Saturday’s), with an answerphone for outside of these times.  

Only one appointment will be offered per week, for those unable to visit (exceptional circumstances considered). If your friend or family member is able to visit please ensure property exchange is completed during these visits, not through this service.  Please do not bring in large or bulky items as items will need to fit in to a bedside locker.  Large suitcases and bags will not be accepted, nor will other large items such as blankets or pillows.

Please do not arrive at this service without a booked appointment to allow a safe service provision.  Further guidance on items permitted and the process for dropping off property will be provided when you speak to the call operator. To call the line, the number is 07979540102.

For patients in Milford Hospital or Haslemere Hospital please contact the wards directly.

Please help us minimise the risk by only bringing essential items from the below list:

Essential Items

  • Mobile phone/ tablet/ laptop and charger.
  • Wash Items.
  • Nightwear two - three sets.
  • Day clothes - one set.
  • One pair of slippers or shoes well fitting.
  • Medication.
  • Dentures.
  • Glasses.
  • Hearing aids.
  • Small personal item or photo.

Non-Essential Items – these will not be accepted

  • Food (of any kind – including fruit).
  • Drinks.
  • Sweets or Chocolates.
  • Cash.
  • Soft items such as pillows/blankets.