Visiting Times

Patient visiting information

Visitors do not need to book an appointment to visit someone in our hospitals.

Wards may sometimes close to visitors because of infectious outbreaks, for example, norovirus or COVID-19.

Visiting adult inpatient wards

General visiting hours: 

• 11:00 - 20:00

We understand that some patients may need visits outside of these hours. Please speak to the nurse in charge. We are flexible and will do our best to accommodate requests based on the patient’s needs and preferences.

Open visiting is also available for families and carers of patients who are:

• at the end of life 
• living with a learning disability or autism 
• living with dementia 
• recovering from a brain injury

Key points to know:

• a maximum of two visitors per patient at a time
• named carers (paid or unpaid) are not counted as visitors and are encouraged to stay if needed
• visitors are welcome during mealtimes
• if you would like a child to visit, please speak to the nurse in charge

Help us keep everyone safe 

Please do not visit if you feel unwell. 

To protect our patients and staff, do not visit if you have symptoms of:

• Flu
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting

These illnesses are highly contagious. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe.

Visiting children’s inpatient wards

We encourage a parent to stay with under 18s, at all times, even on an adult ward.

Visiting is limited to two visitors per patient at any time.

Please talk to us about sibling visiting.

On children’s wards, parents are able to visit at all times.

One other adult can visit, but one parent must be present. A maximum of two visitors at a time still applies.

On neonatal units, parents are able to visit at all times.

Two nominated grandparents may visit (or allocated adult, if no grandparent) for a two hour slot within visiting hours (11:00 - 20:00). One parent must be present and maximum of two visitors at a time still applies.

All four adults must be the same throughout the admission.

Maternity

You can view the guidance for maternity patients and visiting rules elsewhere on our website.

• Maternity visiting guidelines

Emergency departments (ED) (also known as A&E)

If you have to come to the emergency department, you can bring someone with you.

In ED majors, patients can be accompanied by one person at any time (24/7).

In ED minors, injuries and assessment areas: patients can be accompanied by one person (24/7).

Staff will be able to tell you which ED area you are in.

Attending appointments (outpatient, diagnostic, day case)

If you are attending an appointment or for a day case you can be accompanied by one person if you want someone with you.

Situations where you shouldn't visit

Do not visit if:

• you have any COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19
• you have any respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing or sore throat
• you have been sick or have diarrhoea

Our hospitals care for vulnerable patients, and therefore all visitors must:

• sanitise their hands when entering and leaving the ward/department and before and after contact with a patient, using the hand sanitizer that is available.
• follow staff instructions and signage on mask wearing/personal protective equipment (unless medically exempt).

Special circumstances

There may be some circumstances where extended visiting may be beneficial to meet the needs of the patient. This should be discussed with the ward/department staff.

This may include, but is not limited to:

• under 18s
• deteriorating and dying patients
• patients may be accompanied where appropriate and necessary to assist their communication and/or meet their health, care, emotional, religious or spiritual care needs
• recognised carers (paid or unpaid) providing support where they would usually provide care at home
• supporting reasonable adjustments to meet the individual needs of patients with dementia, learning disability, autism, hearing or sight impairment or loss, or a neurodiverse condition
• supporting mealtimes to encourage a patient to eat – particularly where they would usually have support at home

Measles: keeping staff informed

Please can you inform a member of staff immediately on arrival if you or your child have measles or are suffering from cold-like symptoms such as:

• rash
• high temperature (fever)
• cold-like symptoms – runny nose, cough, sneezing
• red, sore watery eyes
• please can you confirm if you or your child has had their MMR vaccination (measles, mumps and rubella)

Measles rash appears around two to four days after initial symptoms.

Please also tell us if you have been in contact with someone with measles in the last 21 days.

Collecting a patient on discharge from hospital

Please discuss discharge arrangements directly with the ward. We aim to discharge patients by 11:00 and appreciate your help in making arrangements to collect them by this time.