Hospital visiting

Updated on 25 April 2022

Patients will be able to receive one visit per day with a maximum of 2 visitors at a time.

Visits are not permitted in admitting areas unless exceptional circumstances arise.

Visiting guidelines

  • Visitors should contact the clinical area the day before if possible to arrange the visit so that this is approved before coming to the hospital.
  • Visitors must not visit if they have been:
    • in contact with someone who has had confirmed COVID-19 in the last 10 days
    • or experiencing any of the symptoms associated with possible COVID-19
  • Visits will be for a maximum of 1 hour each day, at a time agreed by the ward team. There should be no more than 2 patients receiving visitors in a bay at the same time. We have allocated visiting times for each bed space.
  • If the visitor is late for their allotted time, the visiting hour will still finish at the allocated time and not extended.
  • Visitors must be directed to use the appropriate hand hygiene facilities before and after visiting.
  • Appropriate PPE, specifically a surgical facemask, must be worn (face coverings are not acceptable).
  • If visitors do not comply with infection, prevention, and control guidance they will be politely asked to leave the site.
  • Prior to visiting visitors will be expected to use the public toilet facilities within the hospital as these will not be available on the ward.

Exceptional circumstances

Patients at end of life.

The patient is not required to be on end of life care plan (blue book) to allow visiting.

There may be many situations where it is suspected the patient may be dying, and therefore they can have an end of life visiting plan. The blue book should not be commenced solely to facilitate visiting, nor should visiting be restricted because the blue book is not in place.

  • Patients who are at the end of their life may have increased visiting with no restriction on the number of visitors or length of time of visit.
  • Only 2 visitors to be allowed at the bedside at a time if in a bay.

Additional exceptional circumstances

  • Exceptional circumstances may arise where patients who require extra support with care, cognition etc. These cases must be assessed by a member of the  senior leadership team and approved by one member of the executive triumvirate or out of hours executive on call.  
  • Compassionate visiting where it is important to the emotional wellbeing of the patient, including receiving difficult or complex news. These cases must be assessed by a member of the senior leadership team and approved by one member of the executive triumvirate or out of hours executive on call.  

In all situations there should only be 2 patients receiving visitors in a bay or communal area at any one time.