Visiting times

• Ask the Nurse in Charge if you wish to visit someone outside usual visiting hours
• Visiting is dependent on the consent and wishes of each patient or in their best interests if they are unable to give consent.
• If a patient wishes to receive visitors outside normal visiting hours or outside the guidelines above, this can be requested and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis with a view to accommodating a visit if it is not disruptive to others.
• Visitors must not disrupt or disturb other patients.
• You are welcome to visit someone who is receiving end of life care at any time of day or night. If visitors are unable to come to the hospital, we will offer a virtual visit by phone or video call.
• Out of hours visiting will normally be accommodated for someone needing to make decisions for a patient who does not have the capacity to do this for themselves and/or to reduce distress for someone with a condition such as dementia, a learning disability or autism.
• We are likely to accommodate out of hours visiting if someone is providing a therapeutic benefit, for example, by helping someone to take part in rehabilitation exercises, helping them to communicate, or helping with eating or drinking.
• We can provide a Carers Passport if someone provides essential care and support for someone at home and wishes to provide this in hospital. This will allow visiting at any time without the need ask the Nurse in Charge at each visit (see Carer’s passport).

We give every patient a full update about their condition every day.  If the patient is unable to pass this update on to their family member, a health professional involved in delivering care to the patient will contact the Next of Kin.  This could be a nurse, doctor, or other health professional, such as a physiotherapist or occupational therapist.  

How you can help us to keep you up to date

• Nominate one person - if you are not able to keep your friends and family up to date, give us the name and number of one person to receive updates. It is helpful if this person then passes on any news to others.
• Avoid calling the ward in the morning or at mealtimes - calling later in the day means staff will be less busy and there may be information to share following the ward round. If the ward is busy, you may be asked to call back.
• Call the hospital switchboard on 020 8546 7711 and ask to be put through to the ward. Or go to the contact us page, for a list of ward phone numbers.

Two parents or carers can accompany a baby, child or young person. Please be aware that if the waiting areas become overcrowded, one person may be asked to wait outside. Please do not bring other children unless this is necessary (e.g. a breastfeeding baby).

Families may designate two parents or carers to provide support to a baby, child or young person (paediatric patient) during the day. Both can be at the bedside and one parent or carer can stay overnight.  Please speak to a member to staff about arranging ‘family time’ to enable additional family members including siblings and other close relatives to visit.

Two parents or carers may accompany their child on our Paediatric Assessment Unit or on Dolphin Ward. Please be aware that if the waiting areas become overcrowded, one person may be asked to wait outside.