Visitors' charter

Visiting our wards

We welcome visitors to our wards and recognise that friends and family play an important role in supporting a patient’s recovery and wellbeing.

This page explains what you can expect from us, and what we ask of you when visiting.

Respect and professionalism

What you can expect from us
We will be professional, polite, and respectful to our patients and visitors at all times.

What we expect from you

• Please be polite and respectful to our staff, other patients, and visitors throughout your visit.

Infection prevention

What you can expect from us
We are committed to reducing the risk of infections caught in hospital.

• Occasionally visiting times may be limited, and patients may be moved to private rooms.
• Staff will clean their hands between caring for each patient.

What we expect from you

• Do not visit if you are unwell with a cough, cold, or any potentially infectious illness.
• If you have been unwell, please wait at least 48 hours after your last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting before visiting.
• Use the hand gel provided when entering the hospital and ward.
• You may be asked to wear personal protective equipment (such as a mask or apron) to protect yourself and others.
• Follow all infection control signage – please ask staff if you are unsure.
• Use designated public toilets rather than patient bathrooms on the ward.

Clean environment

What you can expect from us
We are committed to keeping our hospitals clean environments for patients, staff, and visitors.

What we expect from you

• Our domestic teams may ask you to temporarily step away from the bedside or bay to allow cleaning to take place. Please support this to help maintain hygiene standards.

Mealtimes

What you can expect from us
We will meet patients’ nutritional needs and minimise interruptions during mealtimes.

What we expect from you

• You are welcome to help with mealtimes if appropriate, but we understand if you are unable to do so.
• Food and drinks provided on the ward are for patients only. Staff can direct you to where refreshments are available.

Privacy and dignity

What you can expect from us
We will promote privacy, dignity, and confidentiality at all times.

What we expect from you

• You may be asked to leave the bedside or bay temporarily to allow care, ward rounds, physiotherapy, or if emergencies take place. Please support staff by responding promptly to these requests.

Rest and recovery

What you can expect from us
We aim to create a calm and restful environment to support patients’ recovery.

What we expect from you

• A maximum of two visitors per bed space at any one time.
• Please use chairs provided and do not sit on patients’ beds.
• Help maintain a quiet environment and respect other patients by keeping noise levels low.

Safety

What you can expect from us
We are committed to keeping patients, staff, and visitors safe at all times.

What we expect from you

• Please avoid distracting staff during medication rounds to reduce the risk of errors.
• Do not film or photograph staff or other patients.
• Only bring essential items into hospital and avoid bringing valuables.
• Our sites are smoke-free, so please smoke off-site if needed.

Communication

What you can expect from us
We will communicate clearly and keep next of kin/relatives up to date (with patients’ consent).

• We will be open and honest when it is not appropriate for children under 12 to visit the ward area.

What we expect from you

• Please keep contact details up to date and choose one main contact person to speak with staff.
• Due to patient care priorities, you may have to wait to speak with a member of our medical staff.
• Children may not always be allowed to visit. If they are, they must be supervised by an adult . They should not attend if they are unwell.
• We value the role of family carers, please ask the ward team for a carer’s pack.

Additional support

We value the role of carers and will allow visiting for named carers wherever possible. For example, for patients who have dementia, delirium, or learning disabilities.

Special arrangements are in place for family and friends of patients receiving end-of-life care. Please discuss directly with the nurse in charge to confirm visiting times.