Visiting hours
Please remember that you should not visit the hospital if you have symptoms of COVID-19, are a close contact of someone who is confirmed to have COVID-19, or if you have symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting within 48 hours of your planned visit.
The wearing of face masks for staff, patients and visitors is no longer mandatory and there is no longer a requirement to wear masks unless by personal choice or it has been risk assessed as necessary.
We would still recommend maintaining a distance from others out of courtesy, but there is no official social distancing required. Please avoid overcrowding.
Rates of Covid in the community have not gone away. They are reduced but there are still reports of peaks and troughs. The decision to wear masks in all inpatient areas will be reviewed regularly.
As of Wednesday 1 March 2023 you no longer need to book a visiting slot. Visiting is generally open from 10am to 8pm each day with the exception of meal times - please see below. Each ward area may vary these times slightly and there are some exceptions - please check with ward staff for guidance.
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Gifts such as flowers and balloons are attractive but can prevent staff maintaining a clean and safe environment. We would be grateful if gifts of this nature are not bought to the ward.
Please ask your relatives/carers not to visit if they have a bug or infection, such as sickness, diarrhoea, colds or flu. Help us protect you and your fellow patients. For more information on Infection Control please click here.
Protected meal times
Protected mealtimes are specific times in the day when all non-urgent activities stop, so that patients may eat their meals without interruption or distraction.
During these times, visiting is restricted to visitors and carers who are actively assisting patients with their meals.
Protected mealtimes are:
Breakfast 7:30 – 8:30
Lunch 11:50 – 14:00
Supper 16:30 – 18:30
Family carers flexible visiting times
If you look after a vulnerable person and would like to continue to do so while they are in hospital, we are happy for you to visit them more flexibly in response to their individual needs.
A vulnerable person may be a child or they may be older, they may have a physical difficulty or mental health issue, they may have a learning disability or be affected by dementia.
Contact a member of staff to discuss what visiting times you think would work best for you.
Family Carer Lead - 01493 453831
Family Carer Lead for the Louise Hamilton Centre - 01493 453100
Dementia Liaison Nurse - 01493 453731
Learning Disability Lead - 01493 453732
Palliative Care Team - 01493 452804