Patients & Visitors

Visiting information

Wearing face coverings at the RUH

All outpatients and visitors at the RUH are asked to wear a face covering at all times. Face coverings can act as a barrier to prevent the spread of coronavirus from the wearer to others. They can be purchased commercially or handmade. There is information online about how to wear and make a face covering.

Please bring your own face covering and wear it when you first enter the hospital or a department directly. We understand that not all patients will be able to wear a face covering, such as young children or those with breathing difficulties.

Got a question? Please see our FAQ.

Visiting is suspended

To protect our patients, visitors and staff, and in line with government advice, visiting is suspended with immediate effect and until further notice.

Find out how to send a message to your loved one.

Inpatients



The only exceptional circumstances where one visitor - an immediate family member or carer - will be permitted to visit are listed below:

  • Parent or appropriate adult visiting your child
  • Patients nearing end of life
  • Parent or carer accompanying a vulnerable adult

You can drop off property (eg. fresh clothes, a book or mobile device) for a patient at main reception in the hospital Atrium. We'll then make sure it gets to them on the ward. Please make sure bags are clearly labelled with the patient's name and ward.

Please contact the ward in advance to discuss appropriate arrangements.

Patients nearing end of life due to COVID-19, or suspected COVID-19, may have a family member or close friend visit for an hour or more, in discussion with the ward sister.

Outpatients

If you are attending for treatment as an adult outpatient, please come into hospital by yourself. Child outpatients can be accompanied by one adult and no siblings.

Maternity

  • A support person can continue to accompany you in labour - if they leave during labour they will not be able to return
  • A support person can join you for 12 and 20 week scan appointments only
  • Your support person will not be able to attend appointments in Day Assessment unit at the RUH
  • Mary ward visiting is between 11am and 2pm for your support person only
  • Children are not able to attend any appointments
  • Your support person must wear a face covering at all times and maintain social distancing

For all other queries relating to scans please contact the antenatal ultrasound department directly.

In line with latest NHS England guidelines on maternity visiting, we are already supporting partners to be present throughout the maternity journey. This may not be possible for some unscheduled scans at the moment, but we are always looking at ways to allow partners to be present in those circumstances too. Please talk to your midwife and follow our visiting advice.

Control the virus, save lives

You must not visit in any circumstances if you have a high temperature or new continuous cough or a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell.

Everyone should follow the expert national guidance on social distancing and self-isolation, staying at home wherever possible, to help limit the spread of coronavirus, protect the most vulnerable people in our communities and our NHS.

We recognise this is a difficult time for all our patients, their families and carers. Your health, safety and wellbeing, that of our patients, communities and individuals and teams across the organisation remain our absolute priority.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding at this challenging time.

Social distancing at the RUH

We're following social distancing at all our sites to help keep you and us safe. When you visit, please keep a 2m distance between you and others wherever possible.



As you move around our sites please:
  • Keep to the left
  • Walk in single file
  • Stand aside to let others pass at a safe distance
  • Follow guidance provided in waiting rooms, stairways, communal areas and lifts
Thank you for your co-operation.

Send a message to your loved one

While visiting is suspended, we can help you to keep in touch by passing on a message to your loved one in hospital. This service is designed to let patients know that their friends and loved ones are well, thinking of them and sending their best wishes.

Step one: Email ruh-tr.keepingintouch@nhs.net or call 01225 825656 or 01225 826319 to tell us what your message is. Please provide the patient's name, date of birth, location or ward if known, and your details including your relationship to the patient.

Step two: Your message will be delivered to the patient using our in-house postal service, Monday to Friday.

Unfortunately we are unable to facilitate sending messages back from patients to their family or friends.

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