Big changes to hospital visiting in Coventry
What are the new arrangements?
Two visitors per patient can visit each day between 6pm and 8pm on weekdays. On weekends two visitors can visit from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm. There will no longer be a one hour maximum visiting time.
Some of their patient areas have different visiting times or requirements. There are also exceptions on some wards or areas because patients are more vulnerable in order to minimise infection risks.
What are the exceptions?
The following are the areas where the rules are different:
Compassionate grounds
Visiting on compassionate grounds remains in place for visiting outside of specified hours. If you are visiting on compassionate grounds, no time limit is in place and up to four visitors can attend. This can be discussed with the Ward Manager or Nurse in Charge.
Exceptional circumstances for compassionate visiting include:
- End of life care
- Emotional and/or physical support
- Recognised carers
- Supporting patients with dementia, learning disability or autism
- Specific supported communication needs
Maternity
One birth partner can attend all antenatal appointments.
Two birth partners can be present during labour, one during triage and the second once labour has been confirmed. Birth partners should be from the same household and the same person throughout the pregnancy, labour and postnatal period.
Partners will be asked to wait in the Women and Children's entrance foyer to help maintain social distancing. They will be called when mums-to-be are invited for their scan. Scan photos can only be purchased by contactless payment at present.
Two visitors can visit their loved one on Ward 24 (antenatal) and Ward 25 (postnatal) at University Hospital, Coventry. One visitor can stay for as long as their partner wishes and a second visitor may attend for one hour between 11am and 8pm.
Parents have unrestricted access to the Neonatal Unit and siblings and grandparents are also now allowed to visit.
Paediatrics
One parent/designated carer/guardian can remain with a child during their hospital stay and overnight. A second parent/carer/guardian can also visit between 3pm and 7pm.
Arden Centre
Visitors cannot go inside the Chemotherapy suite. One visitor can go with the patient for pre-assessment clinic appointments.
One visitor can attend for radiotherapy planning appointments, radiotherapy treatment reviews and on the first day of radiotherapy treatment for confirmation of consent.
One visitor can also attend all outpatient clinic appointments at the centre.
Emergency Department and Urgent Treatment Centres
One visitor or relative can accompany patients to the Emergency Department and assessment areas. This also applies to Coventry Urgent Treatment Centre.
During times of increased pressures visiting may be paused and visitors will be made aware of this by staff on their arrival. This is to help control the number of people in the areas and to prevent overcrowding.
All visiting arrangements remain under constant review to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.
Other ways of staying in touch
Outside of visiting hours, friends and relatives can contact patients through their personal phones and call the ward directly if they need information.
If you are unable to visit, please speak to the ward staff who can arrange to pass on a message.
You can also use the hospital's Thinking of You service to keep in touch.
Through this you can send a letter and some photos to your loved ones via an online form. Once your message and photos have been received they will be printed out and delivered to the patient on your behalf.
