Visiting a patient

We actively encourage visiting and the involvement of visitors and carers while patients are in hospital. Keeping contact with friends and relatives is an important part of a patient’s treatment, care and recovery.

There are many ways in which visitors can be involved, such as helping at meal times, and we are happy to support visitors to do so, if that is the patient’s wish.

When to visit
There are different times, depending on the needs of the patients. Our Ward Contacts page list visiting hours for each of our wards.

Visiting Patients
Visiting times may be extended for compassionate reasons, or restricted if this is appropriate for the patient’s needs.
If you have a problem visiting within these times, please ask one of the nurses who will make arrangements to suit your needs.
Patients may become tired and need to rest. Please remember that other patients may wish to rest or sleep during visiting hours
We have a policy of “zero tolerance” to violence and abuse and anyone behaving inappropriately will be asked to leave the premises.
If you need to contact the ward please click on the link on the left for contact details

When not to visit
If you are not feeling well, or have been exposed to any infection. Symptoms such as coughs, flu, nausea or vomiting and diarrhoea can easily spread to vulnerable patients and make their condition worse.  If you have symptoms of diarrhoea or sickness please do not visit the hospital until you have been feeling better for 48 hours.

If the hospital is experiencing difficulties with an outbreak of infection please do not bring young children or frail, elderly visitors. (They may be at risk from the infection)

Hand Hygiene
Please take note of the advice regarding hand hygiene, which is displayed throughout wards and departments.

Hand gel is available outside all wards for everyone to use. Please help to minimise the risk of infection by using this. If the container is empty please tell a member of staff.

Flowers
Please ask nursing staff before bringing flowers onto the ward. Flower water can carry an infection risk to patients who are susceptible.  Flowers can also cause allergic reactions for some patients.

Hospital environment
We are committed to maintaining a comfortable environment for patients, visitors and staff. When you leave the hospital please ensure you take your belongings with you and place your rubbish in an appropriate place.  If you visit an area where the standard of cleanliness is not what you expect, please tell a member of staff.

Use of mobile phones in hospital
Please note that mobile phones must not be used in many areas of the hospital as they can interfere with medical equipment.  Areas where mobile phones can be used will be clearly signed.  Public telephones are available in the main concourse level 6 and in many other departments throughout the hospital.

Family Link Volunteer Service
We have a brand new Family Link Volunteer service that helps patients and families make video calls to their during their stay. Our call times are 10:30 am, 12:30 pm and 2:30pm Monday to Friday- we require an email address from the family member or friend so we can send them the video link. We also require the patients name and which ward they are staying on. To book in please email: plh-tr.familylinkvolunteerservice@nhs.net and we will arrange for one of our wonderful volunteers to come and set up the call.

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