Visitor policy

We have some extra safety measures in place at this time to help us to protect our most vulnerable patients from the spread of infection and maintain safe services. Please read this information carefully.

We expect all visitors to our sites (including community) to:

• Regularly wash your hands and use the alcohol hand rub provided. The nurses in the ward and departments will guide you with this.
• Wear a mask if you are asked to, as this is to protect our most vulnerable patients. Children under 11 will not be expected to wear a mask.

Please do not attend any of our sites as a visitor if you are unwell.

Community visiting policy

• Normally, two parents or carers may attend appointments with a child. However, there are some wards where only one parent or carer can attend at a time.
• We respectfully ask that siblings do not attend.
• If you or your child have confirmed COVID-19 or have been asked to self-isolate, do not attend and please inform us if you are unable to attend.
• Anyone visiting a community site that appears unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 or any other respiratory virus (a new continuous cough, a high temperature, cold or flu-like symptoms, diarrhoea, vomiting or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) may not be able to proceed with their appointment.   

• Staff visiting patients in their homes will wear masks in certain circumstances. 

Hospital visiting policy

• For most children that need to stay overnight, two parents or carers may visit at the same time. However, in some areas, only one parent or carer can visit at a time. Normally, we welcome other adult visitors and siblings between 12 noon and 7pm, but there might be times when this is not possible.You will be advised of this.
• For children staying overnight, a maximum of two visitors can be at the bedside at any one time. In some areas, we need to restrict this to one visitor. We ask that visitors swap outside the hospital.Only one parent or carer can stay overnight with their child.

Visiting policy in hospital areas with flu or other respiratory virus cases

• During times of increased cases of flu, we sometimes need to reduce the number of visitors who come into our hospital. This helps to prevent viruses being brought into our wards, and protects patients.
• Flu is highly infectious and can be passed from person to person very easily, through tiny air particles.

Extra measures in hospital areas with high flu cases or other respiratory virus cases to help reduce the potential spread

• Only 1 parent or carer is allowed to be with a child, whether they are staying overnight or visiting.
• If the parent or carer is changing, they must swap over outside the hospital.
• No siblings (brothers or sisters) will be allowed to visit.
• Parents or carers will be asked to wear a surgical face mask in certain wards or areas of our hospital.
• If you become unwell (fever, cough, sore throat, sore body/aching, sneezing) while visiting or at home, please:
  • do not visit the hospital while you are unwell
  • let the nurse looking after your child know that you are unwell
  • you can come back into hospital once your symptoms have resolved.
• Make sure that you wash your hands or use alcohol hand sanitiser regularly, including when you enter or leave wards.

This visiting policy is in place for a specific period of time when flu cases are high in some hospital areas.It is regularly reviewed by medical experts, to make sure we are doing our best to help keep children and their families safe. It also helps to keep our staff safe and well, so they can continue providing the very best care for children and families.

Paediatric Intensive Care Unit

There are specialist visiting policies where children are receiving intensive care, which will be explained by the team caring for your child. We ask for your understanding that there will be very few exceptions to the policy. When your child is stable, our team will discuss visiting arrangements with you.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

In our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, two named parents or carers are able to be with their baby at any time. Siblings and other family members may visit at allocated times, please discuss this with the nurse caring for your baby.

Useful links

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

See all our latest information about COVID-19.

There have also been some changes to our entrance.