Visiting

Violent and Abusive Behaviour

We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of violence or aggression.

We do not tolerate:

• Verbal abuse to staff which prevents them from doing their job or makes them feel intimidated or unsafe
• Threats of violence or actual violence to any member of staff

Please be aware that if such behaviour occurs, we may be compelled to withdraw treatment, especially if the illness is not life-threatening.

Find out more about our staff abuse campaign, We're People Too here>

Visiting

At University Hospitals North Midlands (UHNM) we support daily visiting as we understand the important part visitors play in their loved one’s care.

Before coming to visit a patient in our hospitals please check with the ward about when you can visit as different wards often have different visiting times.

If you're unable to attend during visiting hours, talk to the member of staff in charge of the ward to arrange an alternative time to visit.

We encourage relatives and friends to visit patients. But patients can get tired very quickly.

For this reason, the number of visitors each patient is allowed is usually restricted, typically to no more than two people at any one time.

It might be necessary to stagger the visitors so they come at different times. Check the arrangements with the ward you're going to before your visit.

We ask for visitors to balance the needs of the patient and to recognise how important sleep and rest are to a patient’s recovery. To support patients and visitors we respectfully request that:

• There are no more than two visitors at the bedside at any one time.
• You do not sit on the patient’s bed, please ask our staff if you cannot find a chair.
• You keep noise levels low – speak quietly and keep phones on silent.
• You allow patients time to rest, to aid recovery.
• You talk to the nurse or midwife in charge before bringing children under 12 years of age to visit. Please only do so if it is in their best interest and if you do, always supervise children.
• Please do not film or photograph staff or other patients

• Please stay at home if you are suffering from cold/flu symptoms or vomiting and/or diarrhoea and do not visit until you have been symptom free for at least two days.

• You clean your hands using alcohol gel/foam on entering and leaving the ward.
• You ensure you comply with any infection control guidance from staff including wearing additional personal protective equipment (PPE).
• You understand if visiting needs to be restricted for the safety of patients, staff, and visitors.

Whilst we support flexible visiting, we request that all visitors are respectful of doctor ward rounds, clinical procedures, mealtimes, and medication rounds that will continue to happen throughout the day and night.

For this reason, we ask that you avoid, where possible, visiting before 11am and prepare to leave the ward by 8pm to allow our patients to settle for the night. We would appreciate your co-operation if you are asked to step outside, at any time, to allow privacy and dignity for all our patients, thank you.

If your relative/friend has a learning disability, dementia, or a mental health issue and would benefit from visitor support outside of these hours please speak to the nurse in charge. We will do all we can to support.

Remember that staff may not be able to share information without the patient’s permission. The team will do all they can to answer your questions.

• All our teams respect the principle of protected mealtimes to make sure that our patients receive good nutritional support to promote healing. Please let us know if you would like to visit during mealtimes to help the patient eat their meals.
• Carers should ask for a copy of our carers policy. Some of the care you normally provide may need to change and this will help to keep you and the patient safe.
• Help the patient by bringing in things they might need such as glasses, toiletries and suitable clothing and footwear.

Compassionate Visiting

Compassionate visiting for adult inpatients means that visiting can occur outside of a ward’s normal visiting hours or in times of restricted or suspended visiting, if the patient meets any of the following criteria:

• they are dying (last days and hours of life)
• they have a mental health issue, dementia, a learning disability, or autism. Reasonable adjustments can be made to support
• where the attendance of a key contact will benefit a patient's clinical condition or wellbeing (ward staff will get in touch if a visit will be beneficial)
Please speak to ward staff if compassionate visiting applies to you.

Emergency Department Patient Companion

We are currently accommodating our patients’ needs for a companion as much as possible, but we need to do this as safely as possible for everybody. We also need to take account of overcrowding in the emergency department. This means:

• Adults are allowed one accompanying visitor in all areas
• Visitors may be expected to wait in the relatives’ rooms or waiting areas at times when patients are in the resuscitation room, ambulance assessment area or undergoing scanning/procedures
• Patients with a vulnerability such as a Mental health disorder/dementia /learning disability or autism can have a companion/carer present to support
• Children may be accompanied by one or both parents or carers. Please note that parents or carers are expected to take siblings out of the department where more than one adult is present
• At times visitors will be asked to wait outside if the department is full and to avoid overcrowding in waiting rooms
• Visiting within the emergency department is at the discretion of staff, please speak to a member of staff

Maternity Visiting

Antenatal appointments

• One person can accompany a woman to all hospital based antenatal appointments
• Up to two people can accompany a woman to all community-based appointments

Scans

• One person can accompany a patient to scan appointments.

Induction of labour and birthing visiting

• Two birth partners can accompany a woman for induction of labour, established labour and birth.

Ward visiting (205 and 206)

• Visiting is permitted between 9am and 9pm for partners and own children only
• General visiting is permitted between 6pm and 9pm
• No more than two visitors are allowed per bed at one time (including the partner)
• Children must not be left unsupervised with patients on the ward
• People needing to stay overnight with patients are asked to dress appropriately and be mindful of other patients

Children and Young Person Visiting

• For paediatric wards: Each child can have two parents/carers visit a day with one parent/carer able to remain overnight
• In the Neonatal Unit: Both parents/named carers are able to visit
You should always follow directions from ward staff. Please speak to ward and Unit staff if you are not sure about anything

Critical Care Visiting

Due to the needs of patients in our care we respectfully request that you visit in accordance with the times below:

• Critical care visiting is now 10am-7pm every day
• Cardiothoracic critical care is 12-3pm and 5.30-7.30pm every day
• If you need to visit outside of these suggested hours, please speak to the nurse in charge and we will do all we can to accommodate

Outpatient appointments

• Patients may be accompanied to their appointment by one other person
• We ask that you arrive no sooner than 10 minutes before your appointment due to how busy the department can get.
• We ask people accompanying to stand if a patient requires a seat, please.