Visiting our hospitals

Visiting across UHMBT hospitals is currently permitted in all areas except on wards that are declared in COVID-19 outbreak.

A controlled booking system is in place to enable up to two named visitors per patient. Visitors are limited to three visits per week per patient, and a maximum of one hour per visit.

To ensure everyone’s safety, restrictions remain in place on wards that are declared in outbreak. Other wards where there are COVID-19 positive patients can use the controlled booking system. 

There is no change to the existing Children’s, Neonates and Maternity visiting arrangements or to previously agreed visiting arrangements for patients who fit the criteria for Johns Campaign, where there are exceptional circumstances, or the patient is at end of life. These will be assessed on a case-to-case basis.

Visiting restrictions are subject to change at short notice dependent on levels of infection. Please be aware that visits are not always guaranteed.

Visitors should not visit any health or care setting if they have any COVID-19 symptoms, or are knowingly COVID-19 positive.

A booking system is being used to avoid congestion in the hospitals. Bookings will only be taken between the hours of 10am - 12pm, Monday to Friday. Only one booking can be made at a time. Multiple bookings are not be possible, except on a Friday when visits for the weekend and following Monday can be arranged. 

In order to make a booking, visitors must call the main hospital switchboards between 10am - 12pm, Monday - Friday, to be put through to the relevant ward or department.

Infection prevention control measures, including social distancing, hand hygiene and wearing surgical masks, are still in place within the hospitals to keep Trust colleagues, visitors and patients safe.

Visiting continues to be permitted in exceptional circumstances, including the following:

• The patient is receiving end-of-life care
• Pregnant women are allowed to have one partner with them throughout induction or labour and whilst attending their 20 week scan. See further guidance for mums and birthing partners
• 1 parent/carer is allowed to stay with their child or baby throughout their time in hospital.
• The visitor is supporting someone with dementia, a learning disability, autism, or something where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed. For patients with dementia, John’s campaign is available for one family member/carer to visit and support the patient as needed.

Staying connected with your loved ones

Despite the ongoing changes to our visiting restrictions, we still want to do everything we can to keep our patients connected with their loved ones.

To enable patients to keep that important contact with their family and friends, the Trust continues to keep a number of things in place:

• Teams across the Trust are encouraging patients to keep in touch via their smartphone or tablet if they are able to - using the Trust’s free WiFi
• A small supply of iPads is available in each hospital to allow patients to video call their family and friends
• Relatives and friends can share messages with loved ones in hospital by filling in the dedicated website form. The message is then delivered directly to the patient.

• Bedside TV/ telephone (not available at all bedsides). Patients can make free outbound calls from their bedside unit to numbers starting 01, 02, 03 and mobiles at all times. Create an account to get started, or use the bedside telephone to contact the Hospedia Customer Care Team.