Visiting Times

An update on visiting at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals

Visiting is no longer restricted to two hours, and visiting is no longer required to be booked by telephone. Please ensure that you visit during the normal ward visiting times. Please note that no more than two people should visit a patient at any given time. Only one visitor per patient is allowed in the emergency department.

Click here for more information and exceptions to visiting times.

Update to Infection Prevention Control Guidance

We have made the decision that from Monday 17th 2023 face mask wearing for visitors, patients, and staff will no longer be a mandatory requirement in non-clinical areas of our hospitals.

Face masks will still be available in the main entrances of the hospitals, for those who would prefer to continue to wear face masks, and in clinical areas.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will update you with any further changes to our Infection Prevention and Control measures.

Thank you for your continued support.

Andrea Lewis, Chief Nurse
David Fluck, Medical Director

Visiting Hours

Please note that normal visiting hours are 2pm – 8pm.

• Visiting hours for Birch Acute Cardiac Unit (BACU) are 3-4:30pm and 6-8pm only. Only 2 visitors at a time and no children below 12 years old.
• Visiting in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is permitted from 1pm, with a recommended two hour slot (this is flexible). Please contact the unit to agree visiting as appropriate.
• If you are visiting a patient on Chestnut ward, please continue to ring the ward prior to your visit to arrange.
• In Maternity, please note that siblings are permitted to visit but no other children.
• Emergency department, one visitor per patient.

Please note that no more than two people should visit a patient at any given time.

The exceptions are:

If your visitors cannot visit during these hours they are welcome to speak with the Ward Manager or Nurse in Charge to make alternative arrangements.

Protected rest time

We offer all our patients protected rest time after lunch, usually between 12:30 and 13:30 to help as part of the recovery process. We do not allow visiting, ward rounds or procedures to take place during this time, unless it would be detrimental to a patient not to do so.

Advice for visitors

We recognise that visiting a person in hospital plays a vital part in aiding their recovery. We encourage visitors to take part in social interaction with patients and to share in their care where appropriate.

Please respect other patients when visiting and keep noise to a minimum. We therefore ask that no more than two people visit a patient at any one time.

All visitors should use chairs provided and not use the patient’s bed to sit on.

To respect patient privacy, visitors may be asked to leave the bedside when doctors are doing their ward rounds, or when a doctor or nurse needs to provide care to a patient.

It would be helpful if you would not visit patients in the hospital if you are suffering from a cold, flu, and tummy bug or any illness you think could be passed on to patients in the hospital. If you are in any doubt please telephone the ward staff for information.

Children

Children are welcome to visit patients providing they are accompanied by an adult. Unless absolutely necessary, please try not to bring in children under the age of 10.

It is recommended that you speak to the Nurse in Charge before bringing young children on to the ward. They should be supervised at all times to ensure that noise is kept to a minimum and they do not run around or climb on beds or ward equipment.