Visiting our hospitals

Visiting restrictions

Visiting is permitted across Furness General Hospital, Westmorland General Hospital and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary between 2 – 8pm every day. 

Please be aware that there is separate visiting guidance in our maternity services for mums and birthing partners.

Although visiting will be open during these hours, we would like to stress the importance of allowing enough time for our patients to rest and recuperate during their hospital stay, and encourage visitors to consider making visits of one hour where possible. 

Restrictions may need to be reintroduced on wards that are declared to have an infection outbreak. In all other areas, patients will be allowed a maximum of two visitors at a time. Patients in our Emergency Departments can be accompanied by one visitor where necessary. 

Where restrictions are in place, visiting will continue to be permitted in the following instances:

• In exceptional circumstances, including on wards declared in outbreak
• The patient is receiving end-of-life care
• 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

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.