Visiting restrictions

Patients should attend alone unless they are a child or a vulnerable patient – including those with learning disabilities, autism or dementia – in these cases one person may accompany these patients in the Emergency Department. These measures will help keep our patients, their families and our staff safe.

If you are self-isolating

You should not attend (as a visitor or patient) if you should be self-isolating because you, or somebody close to you, has, or has had, symptoms of Covid-19 such as a high temperature, new, continuous cough, or loss or change to their sense of smell or taste). We are not accepting visitors who have tested positive for COVID-19 and should be isolating for the required time frame.

Inpatient restrictions

From Friday 3 September 2021 inpatient visits will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances.

The exceptions apply to visitors accompanying a child or vulnerable patient with learning disabilities or additional needs, such as autism or dementia. In these cases one visitor will be permitted per visit. Further special arrangements may also be made for patients who are critically ill or receiving end-of-life care. These will be arranged on a case-by-case basis with patients and relatives.

Where relatives are unable to visit in-person, the Trust continues to facilitate virtual visits, including via phone, video calls, and messages.

Outpatient restrictions 

Patients should attend alone, including to the Emergency Department. Exemptions are outlined below.

These measures will help keep our patients, their families and our staff safe.

Maternity

One person can attend the Maternity Unit with their pregnant partner in the following circumstances;

• One partner can attend maternity appointments, including: growth scans and any Day Assessment Unit or clinic appointments
• During the labour and birth of their baby (which includes induction of labour)
• On the Antenatal Ward if you are admitted and also on the Postnatal Ward following the birth of your baby, between the hours of 8.30am and 8.30pm
• We will make all reasonable adjustments for anyone with additional needs and ask that you speak to your Midwife about any concerns you have in the first instance

NICU

• For babies on NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), both parents are permitted to be with baby but only one at a time (24hrs a day). If parents wish to attend NICU together, then they need to speak to the Ward to book a time slot to do this. This is to ensure there is enough space around the cots to do this safely

Children’s wards

• A patient/carer can stay with a child who is on our Children’s Ward

Outpatient appointments

• One person can accompany children or adult patients who are considered vulnerable (including those with learning disabilities, autism or dementia) to outpatient appointments
• One person can accompany a patient attending a cancer diagnostic appointment

End of Life Care

• One person can visit a patient receiving end-of-life care. We’re asking that this is the same person in any 24-hour period, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Please speak to the Ward team to discuss any special arrangements that need to be made.

Emergency and urgent care

Our Emergency Department is for patients with urgent and immediately life-threatening conditions. This is even more important during this current situation. Please consider visiting the NHS 111 website or calling their phoneline, contacting your GP surgery or pharmacist, and self-care unless your condition is a suspected emergency.

Patients attending our Emergency Department or Acute Assessment areas must attend alone unless they are a child or a vulnerable patient with learning disabilities, autism, dementia or receiving end-of-life care.