Ward visiting times and contacts

West Suffolk Hospital has introduced longer visiting times in response to comments from patients and visitors. It aims to balance the beneficial effects of patients spending time with relatives, carers and friends, with their need for rest and the need for staff to manage the ward carefully, safely and efficiently, with high standards of infection control.

Visitor guidelines

• Visit only at the set visiting times.
• Do not visit if you are unwell: you should be free of symptoms for 72 hours before coming to the ward. This includes coughs, colds, vomiting and diarrhoea.
• Avoid bringing children under 12 years of age, unless it is felt to be in the patient’s best interests and special permission is given by the ward manager. In the maternity unit child visitors are restricted to sisters and brothers of the babies.
• Wash your hands or use the hand gel before entering and leaving the ward.
• Do not sit on the bed or use the patients’ toilet. There are visitors toilets in the main thoroughfares. Chairs are provided for the use of visitors.
• Adhere to the number of visitors allowed. This is normally two people at any one time. Remember that some patients are more ill than others and whilst the person you are visiting may well enjoy a lively noisy group, the person in the next bed may need peace and quiet.
• Do not visit for long periods, patients often tire very quickly.
• Cameras (including mobile phone cameras) and camcorders may not be used by visitors in the ward areas. The exception is maternity unit where special procedures apply.
• Visitors are reminded that all Trust premises, including the grounds, are non smoking areas.
• Flowers are not allowed in ward areas.