January 2022 visiting update: pre-arranged visiting resumed and lateral flow test requirement | Latest news

We know how important visiting is to patients and their loved ones. We constantly monitor and review our visiting policy in light of national guidance, cases of Covid in our hospitals and community rates of the virus.

From Monday 17 January 2022, although still restricted, we lifted the 2 week pause on general adult inpatient vsiting at our hospitals.

We are once again supporting a return to limited and risk-assessed visiting to balance the need to control the spread of Covid-19, keep our patients, staff and communities safe, and support the mental health and emotional wellbeing of our patients and their families.

All visiting must be arranged in advance. Please read the important information below.

Negative lateral flow test required

If you are visiting your loved one you are now required to provide proof of a negative lateral flow test result taken on the day of the visit, regardless of your vaccination status.

You can get lateral flow test kits for free through the government website: https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests or from most pharmacies.

Key information on visiting

All visits must be pre-aranged. Please contact the relevent ward to discuss visiting arrangements, you will find the contact numbers here.

If you are unwell with any of the following symptoms; a fever; a new continuous cough; a loss or change to sense of smell and taste; a new onset of increased tiredness/fatigue; a sore throat; a headache; aches and pains; diarrhoea; a rash on skin or discolouration of fingers or toes; red or irritated eyes or have a positive Covid-19 test please do not attend our hospitals.

What we ask of you when you visit

• Please go directly to the area you are visiting and avoid going to other areas of the hospital before your visit
• Please refrain from using the shops and restaurants to avoid mixing with many people
• Please use the nearest entrance to get to the ward you are visiting. See our campus maps here
• Please keep two metres from others, adhere to the lift capacity displayed and keep left in our corridors
• Please wear a surgical face mask in our hospitals unless medically exempt (for which evidence should be provided). In some areas we may talk to you about enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE). If you have a medical exemption and are unable to wear a face mask please talk to a member of staff as you may be offered a visor. Please consider whether your medical exemption makes you more vulnerable to infection, we have digital options for keeping in touch below
• Please wash your hands on arrival at the hospital and throughout your visit or use the hand sanitiser provided
• Please bring as few personal belongings as possible with you
• A visitor to our adult wards does not need to be the same throughout a patient's stay. We ask the next of kin to be responsible for co-ordinating who attends for a visit.

We know that this is a very difficult time for you and your loved one and we will do everything we can to facilitate virtual visiting during this suspended face to face visiting period.

Read more about visiting requirments here.