
If you think you may have symptoms of coronavirus (opens in new window) >, follow the national guidance and self-isolate for 10 days. Please see our information for visitors > before you plan on visiting one of our hospitals. If you, or a member of your family has tested positive for coronavirus, please find resources to aid your/their recovery on our supporting your recovery from coronavirus > page.
We have temporarily changed our visiting arrangements to help respond to coronavirus and protect our staff, visitors and patients. We know that it's important for our patients to see family and friends and if face to face visiting is not able to take place, we will work with patients to faciliate video calls where possible.
With immediate effect all wards across UHDB, with the exception of Maternity, Paediatrics and Emergency Department, will restrict visiting unless the patient is receiving end of life care. All vulnerable patients, specifically those with learning disabilities, dementia, mental health or complex needs, as well as those who are unable to make decisions for themselves, may be accompanied by their carer.
All vulnerable patients, specifically those with learning disabilities, dementia, mental health or complex needs, as well as those who are unable to make decisions for themselves, may be accompanied by their carer.
Where possible, we will continue to endeavour to support one person/carer to accompany the patient during their time in the emergency department, however at peak times this may not be possible due to social distancing and is at the discretion of the nurse in charge.
Children’s inpatient wards – Children should be accompanied by one carer or family member who can stay overnight and visit anytime.
Neonatal Unit – mothers can visit anytime, and partners can visit once a day for any duration. Parents may choose to stay all day or for a short period of time, but there should be no swapping or return in same day.
Maternity services have reviewed the advice published by NHSE on 15 April 2021. Where it is safe to do so, we are able to accommodate a support partner to attend across the maternity pathway. This continues to be reviewed:
View changes to our maternity services visiting guidance >
(Last updated 19 April 2021)
Visiting is limited and in accordance with the patient’s wishes. All visitors must wear PPE. Our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) will provide support via phone or virtual communication (for example, Skype, WhatsApp) if family members are unable to visit, and will also act as a patient-family intermediary to exchange messages and letters.
We have taken the decision to restrict viewings only to instances where police identification is required by the coroner (in which case there must be a police presence). Whilst we appreciate the distress this may cause to families in the short term, the Trust must take measures to reduce the risk of staff contracting the virus, either from a patient or visitor to hospitals during the Coronavirus pandemic.
If you come in for an Outpatients appointment or diagnostic, to support us to maintain social distancing and the safety of our patients and staff please come alone unless it is essential that you have someone with you or have an accompanying carer.
We acknowledge that patients attending these departments may sometimes be receiving sensitive news and test results and we will ensure that we support a compassionate approach to enable patients to be accompanied during these circumstances.
We may also ask that relatives or carers wait outside the clinic/department.
Face coverings/masks must always be worn unless removed as part of your consultation.
If you meet the exceptional circumstances for visiting, the ward will be organising a booking system so please phone the ward to agree a designated time.
NHS trusts are also advised to keep a list of hospital visitors’ names and contact details, to aid the NHS Test and Trace teams if contact tracing is indicated.
We are sorry but the following people should not visit adult wards during this phase;
Further to the visiting restrictions in place, we are also providing chaplaincy and bereavement support for patients and their families of all faiths and none. A series of booklets with words from various different faith traditions have been created for ward staff to use at the End of Life. We have made arrangements for provision of Last Rites with families, but this may take place off the ward where necessary.
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.
We also have in place a ‘virtual visiting service’, whereby video calls can be made and written messages delivered to patients from their loved ones which can be arranged through our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) team.
Find out how our 'virtual visiting service' helps keeps patients in touch with their loved ones >
Get information on our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) >
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.
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton has put in place comprehensive measures for staff, patients and visitors for the wearing of face masks and face coverings whilst at our hospitals. All patients and visitors should wear a face covering on entrance to the hospitals and throughout the duration of their visit.
The face coverings can be a scarf, homemade face mask or one that has been purchased. The measures are an important part, alongside social distancing, of reducing the spread of Covid-19 in our hospitals and to keep our patients and communities safe.
We have a limited supply of surgical facemasks that will be offered to patients and visitors who arrive without a face covering. Exceptions are allowed on an individual basis for vulnerable people, people with disabilities, children and those with certain medical conditions (e.g. asthma).
Under certain circumstances, for example visiting an inpatient on a ward, you may be asked to change your face covering for a face mask we will provide.
It is important that your clinical care is not compromised so in situations when wearing face covering makes communication too difficult, coverings can be removed with the appropriate social distancing followed. However, for the safety of our staff we would ask that you wear your covering if you are able to.
People with Covid-19 can have very mild or no respiratory symptoms (asymptomatic) and can transmit the virus to others without being aware of it. Face coverings can be cloth and/or homemade, and advice on how to wear and make a face covering can be found on the government website.
Get advice on how to wear and make a face covering (opens in new window) >
Face coverings worn as part of religious beliefs or cultural practice are also acceptable, providing they are not loose and cover the mouth and nose.
Good hand hygiene and maintenance of social distancing continue to be extremely important actions to reduce spread of Covid-19. The measures in place for social distancing and hand hygiene are not changing. These are maintaining a distance of 2m from others when not wearing PPE for the designated area, keeping left, following lift and stair restrictions and practicing good hand hygiene, notable handwashing for a minimum of 20 seconds.
Find directions, contact numbers and parking information for each of our five hospitals:
Find ward information such as contact details, visiting hours, and additional information for each of our hospitals:
We are committed to improving patient safety by reducing and preventing infections such as MRSA, Clostridium difficule and novovirus. You can help keep our hospitals clean and reduce the risk of spreading infection.
Please do not visit the hospital (as a visitor or patient) if you are unwell with:
Cleaning your hands is the most effective way of preventing germs being passed from one person to another. Wash you hands with soap and water:
Alcohol gel dispensers are by most beds and at the entrances of all wards for staff, patients and visitors to use.
If you see an area that is need of cleaning, please report it to member of staff.
Smoking tobacco and cigarettes at any of our hospitals is not allowed. This applies to all patients, visitors and staff.
Whilst you are here, please do not smoke anywhere inside or outside our hospital buildings.
If you are a patient at UHDB and you would like support to stop smoking, please speak to your clinical team. We can also talk to you about the options for helping you if you need to stay in hospital.
Call the free Smokefree National Helpline to speak to a trained adviser:
Telephone: 0300 123 1044
All lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm.
You can also find all the information and free resources you need to help you quit on the NHS Smokefree website.
Get information to help you stop smoking (opens in new window) >
We understand that mealtimes are important. The 'protected mealtime' service is a period over lunch time when all non-urgent activity on the ward, including visiting, stops (all essential and urgent care needs will continue to be met).
This is done to prevent unnecessary interruptions to mealtimes and enable the healthcare team to be available to help serve food and give assistance to patients who require it. It also creates a more relaxed and calm atmosphere, giving patients time to socialise and enjoy their meal with fewer distractions on the ward.
If you normally visit at mealtimes in order to help or encourage your relative/close one to eat, we are happy for you to continue to do this. Please arrange this with the nurse in charge.
We are dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming environment. We do not tolerate anti-social behaviour, violence or discrimination of any kind and, if necessary, we will take appropriate action. You can help by treating all staff, patients and visitors with respect.
All staff employed by the Trust will carry a photo identification badge. If you are ever unsure who anyone is, please ask to see their badge.