Information for visitors

*Last updated 20 February 2023

We know how important visiting is to patients and their loved ones. We have reviewed the visiting restrictions at UHDB and made further changes.

Inside our hospitals we care for vulnerable patients so all visitors and patients should;

• Wear a surgical mask when in a clinical area, unless you are medically exempt. This includes wards, outpatient areas (including waiting areas) and the Emergency Department. This is to help keep vulnerable patients, visitors and our colleagues safe and limit the spread of infection.
   
• Regularly clean hands with hand sanitiser or wash with soap and water.
   
• Refrain from eating or drinking in areas where you are required to wear a mask.
   
• Follow any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidance as instructed by staff while they are on hospital premises.

Please do not enter our hospitals if:

• You have had any of the following symptoms in the last 10 days: A new continuous dry cough, a high temperature, a loss of or change in your normal sense of taste or smell, cold like symptoms (coughing, sneezing, sore throat, runny nose), diarrhoea or vomiting.
   
• You must not visit if you have been in contact with a known Covid-19, Influenza or diarrhoea or vomiting case in the past 10 days.
   

Adult inpatient wards

• Two visitors will be able to attend during dedicated visiting hours. Each ward has its own visiting schedule. You can review visiting hours for each ward here >  or speak directly to the ward caring for your loved one.
   
• Please do not eat or drink whilst in the ward.  
   

Outpatients and diagnostics

• Patients can bring someone to accompany them.
   

Emergency Department

• Any patient attending A&E can bring someone for support. Please note, if the department becomes crowded and unsafe, the supporter may be asked to leave.
   

Children and young people

• CED: To maintain safety and reduce overcrowding, only 1 parent/carer to attend, no siblings. It may be that if you arrive with siblings and more than 1 parent/carer you will be asked to leave. There may be exceptions, this includes newly delivered mums where both parents will be able to attend.  
   
• PAU: Up to two parents or carers per patient.
   
• Outpatients: Up to two parents or carers per patient.
   
• Sunflower (Electives) Up to two parents/carers.
   
• Paediatric wards: Each patient will be allowed up to two parent/carer visitors during the day with one parent/carer able to remain overnight. 
   
• Neonatal Unit: Both parents can have open visiting and additional visitors, including other children, can attend with prior permission from the parents. Please note, children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and there can only be two visitors at each cot at any one time.

Maternity

• Women in labour do not need to wear a face mask.
   
• Labour ward: two birth partners throughout labour and birth.
   
• Inpatient antenatal and postnatal ward: one support partner may have open visiting. There can be up to two additional visitors from 2pm-4pm, and from 6pm-8pm daily.
   
• Postnatal inpatients: one support partner may have open visiting and can stay overnight. There can be up to two additional visitors from 2pm-4pm, and from 6pm-8pm daily.
   
• Siblings are permitted to visit but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Any other children under 12 are not permitted on the ward.
   
• Antenatal Clinics, Fetal Medicine and Ultrasound scan appointments: One support partner.
   
• Pregnancy Assessment Unit/Maternity Assessment Unit: One support partner.
   
• Induction of labour: Two support partners are able to attend during induction of labour.
   

Patients with dementia, autism, a learning disability, or mental health issues coming into Emergency Departments and inpatient wards, as well as outpatient departments, may be accompanied by a family member or carer.

Contacting our wards

We understand that it is important to contact your loved ones while they are in hospital. Where possible, we encourage relatives and friends to call the patient directly or have a video call. Our sites have free WiFi which supports web browsing and instant messaging, allowing you stay in touch.

If you want to contact the ward for updates, we would be grateful if one person from the family can be the nominated contact, who then keeps the rest of the family and friends informed. This helps to keep our phone lines as clear as possible for other families who need updates.

We know that it’s important for our patients to see family and friends but please make use of the other options to stay connected with your loved one > during their stay in hospital.