Patients and visitors

Visiting

Visiting

At University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM), we support open and flexible visiting because we understand the important role visitors play in a patient's care and recovery.

We encourage relatives and friends to visit patients. However, patients can become tired very quickly. For this reason, visiting is usually limited to no more than two visitors at the bedside at any one time.

You may need to stagger visits so people visit at different times. Please check arrangements with the ward before you visit.

We ask visitors to balance the needs of the patient and recognise how important sleep and rest are for recovery.

When visiting, please:

  • Ensure there are no more than two visitors at the bedside at any one time.
  • Do not sit on the patient's bed. Please ask a member of staff if you are unable to find a chair.
  • Keep noise levels low, speak quietly, and keep mobile phones on silent.
  • Allow patients time to rest to support their recovery.
  • Speak to the nurse or midwife in charge before bringing children under 12 years of age to visit. Children should only visit if it is in their best interests and must be supervised at all times.
  • Do not film or photograph staff, patients, or other visitors.
  • Stay at home if you have symptoms of a cold, flu, sickness, vomiting, or diarrhoea. Please do not visit until you have been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours.
  • Clean your hands using alcohol gel or foam when entering and leaving the ward.
  • Follow any infection prevention and control guidance from staff, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) if required.
  • Understand that visiting arrangements may need to be restricted to protect patients, staff, and visitors.

While we support flexible visiting, we ask all visitors to respect ward rounds, clinical procedures, mealtimes, and medication rounds, which may take place throughout the day and night.

You may be asked to step outside temporarily to help maintain the privacy and dignity of all patients. We appreciate your cooperation.

If your relative or friend has a learning disability, dementia, or a mental health condition and would benefit from additional visiting support, please speak to the nurse in charge. We will do all we can to help.

Please remember that staff may only be able to share information with you if the patient has given their permission. Our teams will do their best to answer any questions you may have.

Additional information for carers and visitors

  • We support protected mealtimes to help patients receive the nutritional support they need for recovery. If you would like to visit during mealtimes to help a patient eat their meal, please speak to a member of staff.
  • Carers should ask for a copy of our carers policy. Some of the care you usually provide may need to change during a hospital stay to help keep both you and the patient safe.
  • You can support patients by bringing essential items such as glasses, toiletries, suitable clothing, and appropriate footwear.

Compassionate visiting for adult inpatients means that visiting can occur outside of restricted or suspended visiting, if the patient meets any of the following criteria: 


•    they are dying (last days and hours of life)
•    they have a mental health issue, dementia, a learning disability, or autism. Reasonable adjustments can be made to support
•    where the attendance of a key contact will benefit a patient's clinical condition or wellbeing (ward staff will get in touch if a visit will be beneficial)
Please speak to ward staff if compassionate visiting applies to you.

We are currently accommodating our patients’ needs for a companion as much as possible, but we need to do this as safely as possible for everybody. We also need to take account of overcrowding in the emergency department. This means:


•    Adults are allowed one accompanying visitor in all areas
•    Visitors may be expected to wait in the relatives’ rooms or waiting areas at times when patients are in the resuscitation room, ambulance assessment area or undergoing scanning/procedures
•    Patients with a vulnerability such as a Mental health disorder/dementia /learning disability or autism can have a companion/carer present to support 
•    Children may be accompanied by one or both parents or carers. Please note that parents or carers are expected to take siblings out of the department where more than one adult is present
•    At times visitors will be asked to wait outside if the department is full and to avoid overcrowding in waiting rooms 
•    Visiting within the emergency department is at the discretion of staff, please speak to a member of staff

Antenatal appointments


•    One person can accompany a woman to all hospital based antenatal appointments
•    Up to two people can accompany a woman to all community-based appointments


Scans


•    One person can accompany a patient to scan appointments.


Induction of labour and birthing visiting


•    Two birth partners can accompany a woman for induction of labour, established labour and birth.


Ward visiting (205 and 206)


•    Visiting is permitted between 9am and 9pm for partners and own children only
•    General visiting is permitted between 6pm and 9pm
•    No more than two visitors are allowed per bed at one time (including the partner)
•    Children must not be left unsupervised with patients on the ward
•    People needing to stay overnight with patients are asked to dress appropriately and be mindful of other patients


•    For paediatric wards: Each child can have two parents/carers visit a day with one parent/carer able to remain overnight
•    In the Neonatal Unit: Both parents/named carers are able to visit
You should always follow directions from ward staff. Please speak to ward and Unit staff if you are not sure about anything


Due to the needs of patients in our care we respectfully request that you visit in accordance with the times below:


•    Critical care visiting is now 10am-7pm every day
•    Cardiothoracic critical care is 12-3pm and 5.30-7.30pm every day
•    If you need to visit outside of these suggested hours, please speak to the nurse in charge and we will do all we can to accommodate

•    Patients may be accompanied to their appointment by one other person
•    We ask that you arrive no sooner than 10 minutes before your appointment due to how busy the department can get.
•    We ask people accompanying to stand if a patient requires a seat, please. 

We know that pets are an important part of the family and that seeing a much loved companion can provide comfort and emotional support during a hospital stay.

In some circumstances, patients may be able to receive a visit from their own pet. These visits must be discussed and agreed with the ward manager or nurse in charge before any arrangements are made.

  • The pets that we allow in our hospitals are:

    • Assistance Dogs and we ask that they wear a lead, collar or tabard to identify them as such (but this is not a legal requirement)
    • Pre-arranged visits from approved Pets as Therapy dogs and they must wear an ID, lead or collar
    • Pre-arranged visits for pets of long stay or terminally ill patients 

  • If any of the above misbehave, they will be asked to leave.

The ward team will consider the needs of the patient, the ward environment and the safety of other patients, visitors and staff.

To help make visits safe and enjoyable for everyone:

  • Please speak to the ward team before bringing a pet to the hospital
  • Pets must be healthy, clean, well behaved and under control at all times
  • Pets must remain supervised by their owner or a responsible adult throughout the visit. Trust staff cannot take responsibility for visiting animals
  • Pet visits may take place in designated areas such as a day room or suitable patient area, subject to approval by the ward team
  • Pets must not cause disruption, distress or nuisance to other patients, visitors or staff
  • If a pet displays inappropriate behaviour or presents a risk to others, the owner and pet may be asked to leave

Some clinical areas are not suitable for animal visits, and restrictions may apply. The ward team will advise whether a visit can take place. 

For more information, please speak to the ward manager before planning your visit.