For Patients & Visitors


Visiting guidance

Please do not visit the hospital if you are feeling unwell with cold or flu like symptoms or vomiting and diarrhoea.

If you have tested positive for coronavirus and have a scheduled appointment, please call the clinic before attending so any necessary arrangements can be made.

What we ask when you visit:

  • Wash your hands on arrival at the hospital, throughout your visit and when you leave or use the hand sanitiser provided.
  • Bring as few personal belongings with you as possible.
  • Do not eat or drink whilst on our wards.
  • Do not use the patient toilets. Public facilities are available away from the wards and clinics.
  • Do not wander around the ward or interact with other patients.
  • Face masks are required in some areas of the hospitals to protect clinically vulnerable patients. These areas are clearly marked. Please wear a facemask whenever you are asked to do so by a member of our hardworking team.

Visiting a patient

General visiting guidelines

  • Two visitors can visit each patient between 11.30am and 7.30pm each day. If you need to make arrangements out of this time please contact the ward directly.
  • ‘Open visiting’ for patients who are on end-of-life care, require a carer or have additional needs (such as a mental health condition or dementia).
  • Parents are permitted to accompany children under the age of 18.
  • Please be aware that children under five are not routinely allowed to visit unless there are special circumstances. If you are unsure, please speak to the Ward Manager.

Visiting the Emergency Departments

  • Patients attending the Trust’s Emergency Department, Same Day Emergency Care and Emergency Assessment Unit (EAU) units can have one adult accompany them. However, it is important to note that this will be reviewed if the department is crowded. If you can come alone, please do so.

Visiting our maternity department

  • Birthing partners are permitted to attend through pregnancy, birth and postnatal care.
  • A maximum of two birthing partners per patient (only one partner in theatre) in the Sherwood Birthing Unit, and a maximum of four visitors per patient in the maternity department. Birthing partners may also stay overnight with the patient.

Visiting paediatrics - Ward 25

  • Two visitors can visit each patient. Parents, carers and siblings can visit at any time. Other relatives or visitors can visit between 11.30am and 7pm.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

  • Two visitors can visit each patient. Parents, carers and siblings can visit at any time. Other relatives or visitors can visit between 1pm and 7pm. No under 16s, unless they are a patient's sibling.

No smoking on site

Our Trust is a smoke free site, including in its open areas. This is for patient, visitor and colleagues.

Like all hospitals, we work with a range of flammable and explosive materials and gases, including oxygen. Smoking is a major fire and explosion risk for our hospitals and puts all of us in danger, with vulnerable patients being most at risk. Please help to keep us and yourself safe by not smoking on our sites and by not bringing cigarettes and lighters with you.

Find more information, visit our smoking page.

Respect for people during your visit


We are an inclusive employer and we are proud of our highly skilled colleagues, who have a range of diverse backgrounds. We also care for a diverse group of patients. We do not tolerate physical or verbal abuse, or any form of discrimination towards our staff or patients. This includes, but is not limited to, racism, homophobia, anti-religion and sexism. We will robustly manage any such incidents and, where appropriate, will involve the police.