Visiting Hours

Visiting Hours for Women & Children and Surgical Care Directorate

You will need to use the security phone at the entrance to some areas to gain admission. Open visiting means that times are not limited. Please understand that ‘out of hours’ visiting will only be allowed at the discretion of the nurse in charge. If you do visit ‘out of hours’, please report to the Nurses Station when you arrive.

A number of wards have introduced protected mealtimes to allow patients to eat their meals without interruption. Visiting is not normally allowed at this time. If relatives/ visitors would like to assist with feeding the patients then they are welcome to visit during protected meal times – please see the Nurse in Charge.

NB: Protected meal times may take longer on some wards due to the dependency of the patients and the time required to assist with feeding.

If you need to telephone the ward, please dial 01283 511511 followed by the appropriate extension number.

Visiting hours and information are subject to change so it is advisable to contact the ward prior to visiting.

Visiting Hours Medicine Directorate

Telephone Enquiries

Ringing telephones disturb patients trying to rest and sleep. Telephones also take nurses away from giving patient care. Please consider if you could ask one member of the family for news, instead of ringing separately. Please ring after 10am and before 8pm.

We do not give confidential medical information over the telephone – eg test results and diagnoses. With the patient’s permission this can be discussed with ward staff during your visit.

Ward staff will always try to contact the next of kin if a patient’s condition worsens.
Can the patient ring you? – we have a trolley telephone which can be taken to the patient’s bedside or public payphones.

Please ensure your mobile phone is switched off before you enter a ward area as there is a risk of interference with medical equipment.

Infection Control

Please use the hand gel at the entrance to the ward, both on arrival and when you leave. We would also request that visitors do not sit on the patient’s beds.

Occasionally when you visit the hospital you may notice a sign on the ward door advising that it is closed due to an outbreak of viral diarrhoea. This type of outbreak often occurs during the winter months and is also common in schools and nurseries. In this instance it is important that you speak to the nurse in charge before seeing your relative. In an effort to reduce the spread of this type of virus we would request that you do not visit the hospital if you are feeling unwell.

Children

Patients need to rest and sleep. Please do not allow children to wander around the ward and disturb other patients. If they become noisy or upset please take them off the ward as soon as possible. Children are the responsibility of their parents at all times and need to be kept safe and away from medical equipment.

Flowers

Give great pleasure but may cause a number of problems in the ward environment eg the vases of water post a risk to electrical equipment if knocked over; infection control; allergies etc. Please check with the ward staff before bringing cut flowers or potted plants on to the ward.

Only two visitors at a time

Patients need quiet and considerate visitors – unless otherwise indicated no more than two at a time please. We also have limited chairs for visitors.

Security

Some wards are locked for patient safety. You can use the security phone at the entrance to talk to the ward and gain access. Please do not allow other visitors in at the same time – ask them to use the security phone.

Talking to staff

Please go to the nurses’ station if you need to talk to staff. Nurses carrying out patient care and especially giving out medication should not be interrupted.

How to contact the Hospital:

Telephone 01283 511511 or 01283 566333