Visiting patients

Due to the current high number of flu cases in our hospitals and the local community, from Tuesday 9 December, all patients and visitors are advised to wear face masks in wards and other clinical areas as a temporary measure to reduce the risk of transmission. Masks and hand sanitisers will be available on each ward at Frimley Park and Wexham Park hospitals for visitors to use. In addition, our staff working in clinical wards will wear fluid-resistant surgical masks to help protect themselves, our patients and visitors.

Please follow this guidance if you are visiting or accompanying a patient to help us maintain a safe, comfortable, healing environment.

Visiting times for inpatient wards are 9am-9pm, with a few exceptions (see maternity below)
When visiting an inpatient please check in at the ward reception desk. You may be asked to provide identification and the name of the patient you are visiting.
Only two visitors at a time for inpatients please and only one person should accompany patients at outpatient appointments or in the Emergency Department, as space can be limited. If more people are visiting or accompanying a patient, please be prepared to wait in another part of the hospital.
Masks will be available in every clinical area for patients and visitors whose preference is to wear a mask. Visitors will be required to wear a mask in certain patient areas. Staff wear masks on a risk assessed basis- for example during certain procedures, and where there is a risk of microbial transmission in the care of immunosuppressed patients.
Please maintain good hand hygiene at all times. Use sanitiser and wash your hands frequently, especially before and after visiting a patient.
If you are feeling unwell, please postpone your visit to keep patients and staff safe.
Please follow all instructions given by staff. This guidance is general but there may be changes and exceptions to meet the needs of particular patients or groups of patients, and in response to circumstances at any time.
Please don't smoke or vape anywhere on any of our sites.

In the labour ward and inpatient maternity areas there are specific rules and times for visiting:

Labour ward

Up to 2 birth partners may attend.
No other visitors and no children.

Antenatal and postnatal areas:

One support person per patient is allowed 6am-11pm.
Siblings of the baby can visit 2pm-8pm.
Other visitors can visit 2pm-8pm- no more than 2 visitors to a bed, in addition to the support person and siblings of the baby.
No children under 10 years old can visit, except siblings of the baby.

Maternity

Quiet environment

Please keep noise levels to a minimum to maintain a peaceful environment. Use headphones for phone calls or media.

Children

Children are welcome but must be supervised at all times. Ensure they follow the hospital’s guidelines and do not disturb other patients.

Respect others' privacy

Be mindful of other patients’ privacy and avoid entering rooms or areas other than the one you are visiting.

Patient photography and video guidelines

Gifts and food

Please check with the nursing staff before bringing any gifts or food items, as some patients may have dietary restrictions or allergies.

End of life care

Special arrangements can be made for visitors of patients receiving end-of-life care. Please speak with the nursing staff for more information or read more information on end of life care.