Hospital Visiting

We continue to manage hospital visiting to protect patients, staff and the community from Covid-19 infection.

The Trust regularly reviews this decision, ensuring we are in line with both regional and national guidance.

Visiting hours

Current visiting times for adult wards are generally 1.30pm to 4.00pm and 6.00pm to 8.00pm.

Separate arrangements are in place for visits to:

• Children’s ward and A&E: two parents/carers per child
• Maternity and neonatal
• North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre

Please speak to the ward or department concerned for further information.

Requests to visit outside this guidance should be discussed with the nurse or matron in charge. Individual visiting plans can be supported in exceptional circumstances.

Please note that wards and/or individual bays may be closed without notice for infection prevention and control reason e.g. norovirus.

Who can visit?

• Up to two visitors at a time for patients
• One person may accompany each patient into the adult A&E at Southport hospital

What precautions must visitors take?

• We are requesting that all visitors wear a face-covering in all clinical areas and departments. Surgical masks are provided free at all main entrances
• Do not visit if you are Covid-19 positive, have any Covid-19 symptoms including:
  • Fever / high temperature 37.8C or above
  • New continuous cough
  • Loss / change of sense of taste or smell
• Have symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting

What alternatives are there to contacting someone in hospital?

Video calls. We can facilitate pre-arranged video calls calls using an iPad by contacting a member of staff on the appropriate ward. If your loved one has their own device and can accept video or telephone calls independently, then we encourage you to keep in touch this way also.

Our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) service offers support, information and assistance to patients, relatives and visitors. The team can also provide help and advice if you have a concern or complaint that staff have not been able to resolve for you. Email soh-tr.pals@nhs.net.