HDFT Visiting
At HDFT we recognise the importance of relatives and friends to visit patients and support with aiding recovery, we therefore encourage visiting. However, patients can get tired very quickly and we ask that this be respected to aid their recovery. For this reason, the number of visitors allowed for each patient at a time, is restricted to 2 people. It is therefore essential that you plan out visiting and check arrangements with the ward/area. We have produced a Visiting Charter to support staff, patients and visitors with expectations around visiting, please refer to the below.
Visiting Charter
You can also download our Visitor Charter by clicking here.
Visiting Times
Most of our ward areas have the same visiting times of 11am to 9pm (with some exceptions, please check for individual ward details), however, it is essential to plan visiting and discuss with the ward, to ensure your visit will be at a good time for the patient. Please see our Visiting Charter for more details.
Please be aware that the maternity areas allow birthing partners to visit 24 hours a day and the children’s ward (Woodlands) and Neonatal Unit allow 24 hour visiting for parents.
Our Accident and Emergency Department allow all adults patients to be accompanied by one person and child patients can be accompanied by two parents/carers. However, at times of extreme pressures and overcrowding within the Emergency Department the nurse in charge may need to make the difficult decision to restrict the number of accompanying adults, to manage overcrowding of the Emergency Department.
Children
At HDFT we encourage children to visit their relatives, however this should be discussed with the nurse in charge on the ward. Wards are busy and sometimes difficult environments for young children, so discussions with the patient and nurse in charge, can prevent children from being in upsetting situations.
Sometimes, if patients are well enough it may be more appropriate for them to meet their younger visitors in Herriots (canteen) or the café at the front entrance.
Infection Control
In wards/units which have been identified as having an outbreak, additional protective measure may be required in the form of Personal Protective Equipment.