Visitors' charter

We will:

• be polite and courteous at all times.
• look after our patients and their belongings.
• support visitors who wish to take part in the care of their relative or loved one.
• keep patients' loved ones well informed (with the patient's permission).
• support loved ones who wish to speak to a member of the medical team.
• work hard to provide a clean hospital.
• do all we can to protect patients from infection, which may sometimes mean moving patients or restricting visiting.
• give your loved ones all the care they need, while also meeting the needs of other patients.
• do our best to create a calm and restful environment to help patients recover.

• Be polite and courteous to staff, other patients and visitors.
• Help your friend or relative by bringing in their medication, toiletries, dentures, glasses, suitable clothing and footwear.
• Do not bring valuables into the hospital as we cannot be held responsible for personal property.
• Let a member of staff know if you would like to assist with providing any care (with the patient's permission) and tell us if the patient has any specific needs.
• If appropriate, support and encourage your friend or relative to eat and drink to help their recovery.
• Wash your hands when entering and leaving the ward using soap and water or the hand gel provided.
• Do not visit if you are unwell and do not visit for at least 48 hours after your last episode of diarrhoea and vomiting.
• Use public toilets and bathrooms, not the patient facilities. Ask a member of staff for directions.
• No more than 2 people per patient at any one time, unless special permission is granted by the nurse in charge.
• Do not sit on patients' beds.
• Talk to ward staff before bringing children under 11 to visit. When visiting babies or children on a ward, please only bring siblings.
• Keep noise to a minimum and put phones on silent.
• Respect the confidentiality and privacy of other patients, visitors and staff by not filming of photographing them.
• Please leave the ward if asked during doctors' rounds, when we are providing personal care to patients or to allow us to clean the area.
• Follow staff instructions if an emergency occurs on the ward.
• Avoid disturbing nursing staff when they are giving out medication.
• Please ensure you are appropriately dressed.
• Do not smoke while on the hospital site. We are a smoke-free site. This includes outside entrances and in the car parks.

Visiting patients in critical care

When you are visiting patients in critical care (Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU)), please remember that it is essential that patients get enough rest. We ask that you only visit for a couple of hours at a time.