Derriford Hospital visiting times are essential to know when planning a visit to loved ones receiving care.
How can you ensure your visit aligns with the hospital’s schedules and policies, providing the best support without disrupting patient care?
Understanding specific ward visiting hours and guidelines not only makes visits smoother but also helps maintain a respectful environment for all.
This guide offers a comprehensive look at Derriford Hospital’s visiting hours, ensuring you’re well-prepared and aware of any special considerations before arriving.
Derriford Hospital Visiting Times
Understanding the visiting hours at Derriford Hospital is essential for planning your visit effectively. The hospital has established general visiting times to ensure patients receive adequate rest while allowing loved ones to provide support.
Here are the Derriford Hospital visiting times:
Standard Visiting Times
For most wards at Derriford Hospital, visiting times are as follows:
- Daily: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
These hours are designed to offer flexibility for visitors while maintaining a conducive environment for patient care.
Exceptions to Standard Hours
Certain wards have specific visiting times due to the nature of care provided:
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU): Visiting hours are typically from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
- Maternity Wards: Partners may visit from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, while family and friends are welcome between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
- Paediatric Wards: Parents or guardians have open visiting hours, but other visitors are generally allowed up until 8:00 pm.
It’s advisable to confirm specific visiting times with the relevant ward before planning your visit, as policies may change.
Source: plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk
Ward-Specific Visiting Times
Derriford Hospital recognises that different wards may require unique visiting policies to provide patients with specialised care while still allowing family and friends to visit. Here’s a breakdown of visiting hours by ward type to help ensure a smooth experience.
ICU and HDU
The ICU and HDU have more restrictive visiting hours due to the high level of care provided to patients in these units. These wards require a quiet and controlled environment, which limits the times visitors are allowed.
- Visiting Times:
- 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
- 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Visitor Limit: Generally, only immediate family members are permitted.
- Visiting Guidelines: Short visits are encouraged to avoid patient fatigue, and it’s recommended to check with the ward in advance if there are any specific restrictions or allowances for visits.
Maintaining these restricted hours helps ICU and HDU staff provide the focused care their patients require.
Maternity Wards
The maternity wards at Derriford Hospital offer a bit more flexibility for visiting, recognising that new mothers benefit from support from their partners and close family during this significant time.
- Partner Visits: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm daily
- Family and Friends: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Sibling Visits: Check with ward staff, as sibling visits are often permitted with some restrictions for the health and comfort of both mother and baby.
Allowing for extended visiting hours for partners enables vital family bonding and support, while controlled hours for friends and family ensure a restful environment for new mothers.
Paediatric Wards
Derriford Hospital’s paediatric wards provide more open access for parents or guardians, acknowledging the importance of their presence for the child’s well-being. Other visitors are welcome but are subject to more structured visiting times.
- Parents/Guardians: Open visiting hours, allowing them to be with their child as much as possible.
- Other Visitors: Until 8:00 pm, with a maximum of two visitors at any one time to maintain a calm and controlled environment.
Having open access for parents supports the child’s emotional and mental health during their stay, while setting limits for other visitors helps ensure rest and care standards are upheld.
Other England Visiting Times:
Guidelines for Visitors
Visitors at Derriford Hospital are encouraged to follow specific guidelines to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of patients. These guidelines help maintain a restful environment while minimising the risk of infection and overcrowding.
Health and Hygiene
For the protection of patients, all visitors are asked to follow strict health and hygiene practices:
- Avoid Visiting if Unwell: Do not visit the hospital if you are experiencing symptoms of a cold, flu, or any other contagious illness. This helps to prevent the spread of infections to vulnerable patients.
- Hand Sanitisation: Use hand sanitiser or wash hands upon entering and leaving each ward. Hand sanitiser stations are located throughout the hospital, and it is recommended to use them before and after each visit.
- Face Coverings: In some areas, wearing a mask may be required, especially during times of high infection rates. The hospital may have additional guidelines during flu season or outbreaks, so it’s advisable to check with staff.
Maintaining these hygiene practices ensures a safer environment for all patients and visitors.
Number of Visitors
To minimise disruption and overcrowding, Derriford Hospital has a limit on the number of visitors per patient at any given time:
- Limit of Two Visitors: Generally, each patient may have up to two visitors at a time. This policy allows adequate space and attention for each patient.
- Special Arrangements: In certain cases, such as end-of-life care or other exceptional circumstances, more flexible arrangements may be possible. Speak with ward staff to request additional accommodations if needed.
Limiting the number of visitors helps create a calm and orderly environment, beneficial to both patients and medical staff.
Children as Visitors
While children are welcome to visit, specific guidelines apply to ensure they do not disturb patients or interfere with medical care:
- Adult Supervision: Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while in the hospital.
- Ward-Specific Rules: Some wards may restrict children’s visits based on the patient’s condition or treatment. It’s recommended to check with the relevant ward before bringing children.
These guidelines aim to balance the positive impact of family visits with the need to maintain a calm and therapeutic environment.
Special Considerations
Derriford Hospital understands that certain circumstances may require adjustments to the usual visiting policies. Special considerations are available for visitors in situations that involve critical or end-of-life care, as well as for carers and support persons who play an integral role in the patient’s wellbeing and care.
End-of-Life Care
For patients nearing the end of life, Derriford Hospital offers more flexible visiting arrangements to allow family members to spend quality time with their loved one during this sensitive period.
- Extended Visiting Hours: In these situations, visiting hours may be extended beyond the standard limits, including overnight stays if approved by the ward staff.
- Personalised Arrangements: Families are encouraged to discuss their specific needs with the ward manager, who can make accommodations based on the patient’s condition and family’s preferences.
- Support Services: The hospital can provide access to additional support resources, such as counselling services, to help family members cope with the emotional strain of this time.
Allowing for flexible and compassionate visitation at end-of-life provides families with the opportunity to offer comfort and companionship when it matters most.
Carers and Support Persons
Recognised carers and support persons often play a vital role in the daily care and comfort of the patient. Derriford Hospital acknowledges this and offers specific provisions for carers.
- Flexible Visiting Hours: Carers may have access to extended visiting hours to continue assisting in their supportive role. The specifics can be arranged by discussing with the patient’s care team.
- Involvement in Care Planning: Carers may also participate in care planning discussions if the patient consents, ensuring continuity of care and understanding of medical procedures.
- Carer Support Services: The hospital offers various support services, including respite rooms and guidance for carers, recognising the importance of their contribution to the patient’s recovery and overall experience.
Providing these options helps to respect the role of carers and ensures that patients receive comprehensive and personalised care.
Contact Information for Wards
To ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information about visiting times and guidelines, it’s always a good idea to contact the specific ward directly.
Derriford Hospital provides direct contact numbers for its main wards, allowing you to confirm visiting arrangements or discuss any special requirements with the ward staff.
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU):
- Contact Number: 01752 431419
- Purpose: Use this number for any questions regarding ICU and HDU visiting hours or specific policies, as these units often have unique requirements for visitors.
- Maternity Ward:
- Contact Number: 01752 430399
- Purpose: Call this number to confirm partner and family visiting hours for maternity patients, as well as any additional guidelines that may apply.
- Paediatric Ward:
- Contact Number: 01752 432333
- Purpose: Reach out to the paediatric ward for information on open visiting hours for parents and guardians, as well as guidelines for other visitors and siblings.
For all other wards, the hospital’s main switchboard at 01752 202082 can direct you to the appropriate department.
This proactive approach helps ensure you have all necessary information before your visit, improving both patient care and visitor experience.
This contact information provides a straightforward way to confirm details and make any necessary arrangements directly with Derriford Hospital, ensuring you’re fully prepared for your visit.
Derriford Hospital visiting times help ensure that patients receive support while maintaining a restful environment.
Knowing specific ward hours and guidelines before visiting allows you to plan effectively and respect hospital policies.
If you found this information helpful, feel free to share it with others who may also be planning a visit.
For any questions or to explore related topics, leave a comment below or check out more articles on www.hospitalvisitingtimes.com for additional resources.
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