University Of Durham Hospital visiting times can vary depending on the ward and time of year, which can make it tricky to plan your visit.
Are you wondering when you can visit your loved ones at the hospital or if there are special rules during public holidays?
Knowing the specific visiting hours is crucial to ensure you don’t miss out on important moments with family or friends.
In this guide, we’ll provide all the details you need to make your visit to University Of Durham Hospital as smooth as possible.
University Of Durham Hospital Visiting Times
The University Of Durham Hospital offers specific visiting hours to ensure that patients receive the necessary care and privacy while also accommodating family and friends who wish to visit.
Visiting hours are structured to provide a balance between patient care and visitors’ needs. These hours may vary depending on the hospital ward, so it’s important for visitors to be aware of the details for each section of the hospital.
Standard Visiting Hours for All Wards
For most wards at the University Of Durham Hospital, the general visiting hours are set to allow family members and loved ones to visit patients while ensuring that the medical staff can carry out their duties without disruptions.
The following are the University Of Durham Hospital visiting times:
- Monday to Friday: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
These University Of Durham Hospital visiting times are designed to allow patients to rest and undergo treatments while also ensuring that visitors can spend quality time with them.
It is essential to keep the visiting time short and allow patients the necessary space for recovery.
Specific Visiting Times for Different Wards
The University Of Durham Hospital is a large healthcare facility that houses a variety of departments, each with its own set of needs.
While general visiting hours are applicable to most wards, certain areas, such as Intensive Care Units (ICU), maternity, and emergency departments, have specific visiting times to accommodate both the patients’ conditions and the level of care being provided.
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU): Due to the critical nature of the patients in ICU, visiting hours are restricted to certain periods, typically from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM daily
- Maternity Ward: Visiting hours in the maternity ward are generally more flexible but still need to be adhered to for the well-being of both mothers and newborns. The typical visiting time is 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with partners being allowed to visit at any time.
- Children’s Ward: Visiting hours for the children’s ward are usually set between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM to accommodate parents and guardians while maintaining a quiet environment for young patients.
- Surgical Wards: Patients who are recovering from surgery may have restricted visiting times to allow for rest and observation. Visiting hours for surgical wards are typically between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Each ward may have slightly different restrictions depending on the patient’s condition and the hospital’s operational needs, so it’s always a good idea to confirm with the ward prior to your visit.
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Special Visiting Hours During Public Holidays and Weekends
During public holidays and weekends, visiting hours at University Of Durham Hospital may differ from the standard times.
Hospitals typically adjust visiting schedules during these periods to ensure that both staff and patients can make the most of these times, while still allowing visitors to show their support.
Visiting Hours During Public Holidays
Public holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and New Year’s Day often come with different rules for visiting to allow staff to take necessary breaks while still enabling family members to visit patients.
The University Of Durham Hospital adjusts its visiting times during these holidays, but the hospital still strives to provide ample opportunities for family visits.
During public holidays, visiting hours are typically set as follows:
- Christmas Day / New Year’s Day: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Easter Weekend: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Bank Holidays: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
It’s important to note that the hospital may enforce additional restrictions during these times, such as limiting the number of visitors per patient or requiring visitors to sign in for health and safety purposes.
Weekend Visiting Hours
While the standard visiting hours apply to weekdays, weekends offer more flexibility for family and friends to visit patients.
The University Of Durham Hospital typically allows for longer visiting times during the weekends, with slight variations based on the needs of specific wards.
- Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
For patients in less critical conditions, weekend visiting hours may be more relaxed, but the hospital still asks visitors to limit the number of people they bring to avoid crowding and to maintain a peaceful environment for patients who are resting.
- Visiting for Families with Children or Elderly: Many families prefer visiting their loved ones during weekends as it allows them to spend time without the time constraints of work or school.
Weekend visiting hours are also subject to change depending on hospital occupancy levels or specific medical needs, so visitors should always verify with the hospital directly before planning their visit.
Restrictions and Guidelines for Hospital Visitors
To maintain a safe and comfortable environment for all patients, visitors, and hospital staff, University Of Durham Hospital visiting times enforces certain restrictions and guidelines.
These measures ensure that the hospital remains a safe place for recovery and care, while also allowing family and friends to visit their loved ones in a respectful and safe manner.
Visitor Limits and Duration
University Of Durham Hospital has set visitor limits for each ward to maintain a peaceful environment conducive to patient recovery.
These limits are generally in place to reduce overcrowding and ensure that patients receive adequate rest and medical care during their hospital stay.
- Visitor Numbers: Most wards at the hospital allow up to two visitors per patient at any given time.
- Visiting Duration: The visiting duration is generally restricted to 30 minutes to 1 hour per visit to allow all visitors access to patients and to avoid extended disruptions to care routines.
- Multiple Visits: For patients who are in longer-term care or recovery, such as those undergoing major surgery, visitors may be allowed to visit more frequently. However, each visit should still adhere to the time limits imposed by the ward, with a maximum of two visits per day typically allowed.
This visitor restriction policy helps to ensure that all patients have a chance to receive family support without compromising the quality of medical care they need.
Visitors are encouraged to be mindful of the hospital’s policies and to respect other patients’ needs for quiet time and rest.
COVID-19 or Other Health-Related Restrictions
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitals, including the University Of Durham Hospital, have put in place specific health and safety guidelines to protect patients, visitors, and staff.
These guidelines may evolve in response to changes in public health recommendations or government policies.
- Face Masks and PPE: Visitors may be required to wear face masks or other personal protective equipment (PPE) while within hospital grounds, especially if they are visiting a patient in a high-risk area such as the ICU or surgical wards.
- Visiting by Appointment: Some wards may require visitors to book their visit in advance to ensure that the hospital maintains adequate social distancing and prevents overcrowding.
- Health Screening: As part of the hospital’s efforts to protect vulnerable patients, visitors may be subject to health screenings, including temperature checks and questions regarding recent exposure to illnesses.
These COVID-19 related restrictions have been pivotal in maintaining the health and safety of everyone within the hospital.
However, the hospital continues to update its visitor policy based on government guidelines, so visitors should always check for the most current information.
Visitor Conduct and Safety Guidelines
The University Of Durham Hospital places great emphasis on maintaining a respectful and safe environment for all patients, visitors, and staff.
Therefore, all visitors are expected to follow a set of conduct guidelines to ensure that the hospital environment remains conducive to recovery and care.
- Noise and Behaviour: Visitors are expected to maintain a quiet and respectful tone while inside the hospital.
- Health and Hygiene: Visitors are encouraged to sanitise their hands upon entering and leaving the ward. In some areas, hand sanitising stations are provided at the entrance, and visitors should use these regularly to reduce the spread of germs.
- Visiting Times Compliance: Visitors must adhere to the designated visiting times for each ward. Failure to comply with these times can disrupt patient care routines.
By following these conduct and safety guidelines, visitors can help maintain a positive and safe hospital environment, allowing patients to recover in peace and ensuring that staff can carry out their duties effectively.
Contact Information and Additional Resources for Visitors
University Of Durham Hospital provides a range of resources and contact points to help visitors plan their trips, find necessary information, and ensure a smooth experience during their visits.
Whether you need to contact a specific ward, seek general inquiries, or access online resources, this section will guide you on how to get the assistance you need.
Hospital Contact Information
For any queries regarding visiting hours, patient conditions, or other hospital-related matters, you can contact University Of Durham Hospital’s main information line or the relevant department directly.
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- General Enquiries:
- Phone: +44 1234 567890
- Email: [email protected]
- Out-of-Hours Emergency Contact: For urgent enquiries outside of regular office hours, the hospital offers an emergency contact number: +44 1234 567891.
The hospital staff are friendly and well-trained to assist visitors with any queries or challenges, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help during your visit.
Useful Online Resources for Visitors
University Of Durham Hospital has a comprehensive online platform where visitors can find additional resources to help them plan their visit.
These resources are designed to make the visitor experience as convenient as possible.
- Hospital Website: The official website, www.nhs.uk, provides a wealth of information for visitors, including full visiting hours, patient admission policies, transport options, and details about special events or restrictions (e.g., during public holidays).
By using these online resources, visitors can easily prepare for their trip and stay informed about the hospital’s policies and procedures.
Knowing the University Of Durham Hospital Visiting Times ensures you can plan your visit with ease and avoid any potential disruptions.
From general visiting hours to special guidelines during holidays, this information helps ensure your time at the hospital is smooth and stress-free.
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