Nottingham University Hospitals says that in order to keep patients as safe as possible they ask that the named visitor performs a lateral flow test (LFT) on the days of their visit.
The below is taken from NUH’s new December visitor rules.
Please contact the ward your loved one is on to discuss visiting arrangements with the Ward Manager or Matron.
Visitors will be asked if they have undertaken a lateral flow test and for the result and in some higher risk areas visitors will be asked to produce proof of a negative result.
- Lateral flow testing for all visitors ( see below for more detail )
- Adult wards: Visitor does not need to be the same throughout a patient’s stay. However the Next of Kin who would have been the nominated person is responsible for co-ordinating who attends for a visit and they must comply with the hospital’s guidance wherever possible.
- Children’s Hospital: One parent/guardian/carer can visit or be resident at any one time. The parent/guardian/carer may change at any point throughout the admission and we will enable both parents/guardians at the same time in certain circumstances when the ward area can accommodate safely. This must be agreed in advance with the ward manager or matron.
Please note: our staff are doing everything they can to keep Covid and other infectious diseases out of our hospitals and protect patients.
We have a zero tolerance policy towards aggression, violence or harassment of any form directed at any member of our staff. Our security teams, and if necessary the police, will be called to deal with any such incidents. Thank you for your continued understanding and support..
Find contact numbers for our wards here:
Visiting will be facilitated as follows:
- where appropriate and necessary to assist their communication and/or to meet their health, emotional, religious or spiritual care needs
- partners of women requiring support through antenatal and scan attendances, induction of labour, during labour, as well as in the postnatal period
- a parent/guardian or familiar carer/supporter/personal assistant
- patients who are critically ill
- if patients are receiving end of life care open visiting will be supported
Important Information
We will not allow any visitors under the age of 16 without the prior arrangement from the Ward Manager or Matron.
Visitors should not visit our hospitals if they are unwell or if they have tested positive for Covid-19,or are showing symptoms of Covid-19.
Visitors will be asked a series of questions to check if they have any symptoms of Covid-19 infections or winter viruses (anyone showing symptoms should not visit and follow national guidance immediately). These include:
- Fever (A high temperature over 37.8 degrees)
- New continuous cough
- Loss or change to sense of smell and taste
- New onset of increased tiredness/fatigue
- Sore Throat
- Headache
- Aches and Pains
- Diarrhoea
- Rash on skin or discolouration of fingers or toes
- Red or irritated eyes
If a visitor been in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19, they must follow the Government rules and self-isolate. In this case it can be arranged that a nominated relative or friend visit instead.
NEW December 2021: Lateral flow testing for visitors
In order to keep our patients as safe as possible we ask that the named visitor performs a lateral flow test (LFT) on the days of their visit. Visitors will be asked if they have undertaken a lateral flow test and for the result and in some higher risk areas visitors will be asked to produce proof of a negative result.
Please follow the guidance detailed here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/test-results/positive-test-result/
Staff will prompt you to do the LFT when you make your booking to visit your relative.
Where to get a Lateral Flow Test from
LFTs can be obtained for free through the government website (https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests). Alternatively, most pharmacies will dispense these free of charge. If you are unsure of your nearest dispensing point please use this link to help: https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk
What we ask of you when you visit
- Please come directly to/leave directly from your visit and do not go to other areas of the hospital.
- Please refrain from using the shops and restaurants to avoid mixing with many people.
- Please use the shortest entrance to get to the ward you are visiting. Ask the ward for the best entrance for you to use. See our campus maps here.
- Please aim to social distance, adhere to the lift capacity displayed and travel down corridors keeping to the Left.
- When attending a visit you will need to wear a surgical face mask at all times within the hospital, wash or sanitise your hands regularly and practice social distancing.
- Visitors regardless of area, while in the hospital will be asked to wear a surgical hospital face mask (type IIR).
- Visitors that have a medical exemption and are unable to tolerate a surgical hospital face mask for the period of visiting should be offered a visor to facilitate a form of protection in exceptional circumstances. www.nuh.nhs.uk/download/doc/docm93jijm4n8498.pdf?ver=19031
- It is important to note that if you have a medical exemption and cannot tolerate a surgical hospital face mask, please consider whether your medical exemption makes you more vulnerable to infection if visiting and consider the use of digital options where possible: https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/keeping-in-touch
- Wash your hands on arrival at the hospital or use the hand sanitiser provided and frequently during the time you are in the department.
- Observe social distancing and maintain a distance of 2m from others, walk on the left of corridors and observe maximum occupancy signage for lifts and rooms.
- It is advisable to arrange to be driven to and from the hospital by a member of your household, if possible, to minimise the risk of exposure to others. If possible avoid using public transport – especially after the visit. See the Government’s Safer Travel Advice .
- Please bring as few personal belongings as possible with you, e.g. bags, handbags, electronic devices, gifts and food.
- We ask all visitors to remove outer clothing, e.g. coats or jackets, roll up sleeves and clean hands.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): in some settings, in addition to wearing a surgical hospital facemask, you may be required to wear PPE. Staff will guide and support you if applicable.
- Staff will explain to you any limits to the length of time that you can visit.
Our Children’s Hospital and Neonatal Units
For patients of our Children’s hospital:
- One parent/guardian/carer may visit or be resident with a child at any one time.
- Parent/guardian/carer may change at any point throughout the admission, however we request only one parent/guardian/carer to be resident on the ward at any one time.
- There are certain circumstances where a second parent/guardian/carer can visit for an agreed period of time. This must be agreed in advance with the Ward Manager or Matron.
For Neonatal Unit patients:
- Both parents guardians / carers can visit together.
- Parents/carers of a baby on the Neonatal unit are welcome to visit at any time.
- No other visitors including siblings are currently allowed on the Neonatal units.
- As a way of staying safe and to reducing the risk of spreading infection, all parents/carers visiting our Neonatal units will be required to take a Covid (PCR) swab twice weekly throughout your baby’s stay on the unit. This will allow us to continue supporting parents/carers in being able safely participate in your babies care together whilst on the unit.
Maternity and Antenatal
Please see the following documents with detailed information about visiting arrangements within our maternity service, including information for partners and our FAQs:
- Maternity Visitor’s Code (update 12 August 2021)
- Maternity Visiting web page (including FAQs, Covid-19 testing and what to expect when coming into hospital for appointments and scans
To help keep Covid out of our hospitals we are requesting that both the person who is pregnant and the partner/supporter take a rapid Covid-19 test, (lateral flow test) – including for attending scan and clinic appointments and visiting. Lateral flow testing kits are available in the community and can be used by anybody in their own home twice a week. It is important that you record your results. You can get lateral flow testing kits through the following links:
Once you have recorded your result online, this will generate an email and a text message confirmation of the result. All support partners will be asked to undertake their own lateral flow test in the community and show evidence of this on the admission day.
Emergency Department
When coming to our Emergency Department (ED), please be aware that we have strict criteria around the admission of relatives and carers to ED. We ask that patients attend on their own wherever possible.
The following patients may be able to be accompanied when in the Emergency Department:
- Patients with a learning disability
- Patients at the end of life
- Patients with dementia
- Maternity patients
- Children
- Patients who require assistance to meet their communication and/or health, emotional, religious or spiritual care needs – this will be assessed on an individual basis by a Senior Nurse upon arrival.
Please note that in most cases only one parent may accompany a child. This must be the same parent throughout the child’s stay. We will make every effort to ensure that you are kept informed about your relative’s or friend’s progress during their stay. Please respect our staff when they are explaining this process to you.
Keeping in touch
We know that it’s important for our patients to see family and friends. If face to face visiting is not able to take place, we will work with patients to facilitate video calls where possible.
Find out more on our Keeping in Touch page by clicking the link below.www.nuh.nhs.uk/keeping-in-touch
- Virtual visiting: We Recognise the importance of relatives and patients being able to communicate, especially during these challenging times. The options for virtual visiting, remains the same. Please contact the ward to arrange your virtual visit.
- Message to a loved one: As a Trust we acknowledge the very difficult and distressing times our loved ones, their families, friends, and carers are experiencing at this unprecedented time. We acknowledge that it can be frustrating not being able to contact your loved one. You can send a message to the following email address: messagesforlovedones@nuh.nhs.uk. We can print your message and deliver it to the ward or do our best to find an alternative method to get your message delivered.
If you need advice or if are concerned about any aspect of care or treatment, speak to a member of staff or contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS): Free phone 0800 183 0204 or E-mail pals@nuh.nhs.uk
Please remain calm and respectful with our staff who are being asked to maintain regulations around visiting for everyone’s safety. Abuse of our staff will not be tolerated
We would like to thank our patients, families and local communities for their patience during this exceptionally challenging time.
