Visiting our hospital and community centres
We have developed a leaflet to help prevent the spread of infection (PDF 593Kb). Wording from this leaflet is also available below.
Our visiting policy during Coronavirus (also known as COVID-19)
Since the beginning of the pandemic we have had to take many extra steps to make sure our children and young people, families and staff are as safe as possible.
This has meant bringing in measures to reduce the number of people we have on our wards and in appointments to make sure we can do our best to stay safe by keeping apart.
Keeping families and staff safe
For families this means we are only able to allow one parent or carer with a child at a time. The more people we have on a ward at once, or in the hospital, the more difficult it will be for us all to keep apart as there will be less space. This increases the risk of infection spreading between us.
We know that this can put a lot of strain on families and parents. Keeping your children and young people safe is our top priority. We must also look after our staff, some of whom are at increased risk from contracting the virus. Our visitor policy has been created with medical experts to make sure we are doing the best we can.
We believe it is also really important that we are fair and consistent with all our families whilst allowing for exceptions in a small number of very specific situations. We are always reviewing this policy.
Do talk to those caring for your child if you are struggling to cope. Support is also available on the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters
Thank you for your cooperation as we continue to prevent the risk of COVID-19 together
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been told to isolate
Please do not visit our hospital or community centres if you or anyone in your household has one of the symptoms of COVID-19 or if you have been told to self isolate. However, our emergency department is always open if your child needs urgent medical help because of the symptoms. Find out more about what to do if you or your child has symptoms of COVID-19.
Our visiting restrictions
We are currently restricting visitors to the hospital and our community sites.
- For appointments, only one parent or carer should accompany a child.
- For overnight stays, only one parent or carer may visit at a time. We are allowing two named parents or carers to visit, but only one parent or carer in the hospital at a time. You must swap over outside the hospital.
- Brothers, sisters, and other family members and friends will not be allowed to visit. We ask that they do not come to the hospital or community site. This will help us to minimise the number of people onsite, to keep you and your family safe.
Any changes to visiting for an individual family, is assessed on a case-by-case basis and will only change in exceptional circumstances. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping to keep our hospital safe.
Before visiting
- If you are in a high risk group for coronavirus please do not visit the hospital. Call the nursing staff.
- If you become unwell, phone the ward and do not visit the hospital.
While visiting
- Please keep your child’s room or bed area tidy and free from clutter to help us to thoroughly clean the area.
- Make sure you answer the daily screening questions about your health.
- Restrict your movement on the ward and limit the number of times you enter and exit.
- Keep a two metre distance between you and others, as much as possible.
- You will be offered a surgical face mask to wear for the duration of your stay. Do not touch the outside of the mask, and clean your hands frequently.
- If your child has suspected or confirmed coronavirus, you will be expected to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as directed by the nursing staff.
When to wash your hands
- Clean your hands when you enter the ward, before caring for your child, and if you remove/change any PPE you have been asked to wear.
- Wash your hands before meals or feeding your child, after visiting the toilet, and after changing your child’s nappy or helping them use the toilet or bed pan.
- You can clean your hands with the hand sanitizer or wash your hands using soap and water.