Hospital Visiting Times - UK

[vickyoddsocks]

Hi all
Was just wondering what are your hospital visitng times like?

When i was younger and in hospital im sure they were from 10am-8pm, so people could be there pretty much all the time - with the exception of maybe an hour or 2 at lunch.
What I've heard recently is that my hospital only allows visitors from 2pm-4pm and then 6pm-8pm which is really really rubbish. I'm having surgery on Thursday and have lots of family travelling LOTS of miles to come and see me and i dont want them to find out they cant
Plus im worried about getting upset (I'm having a permanent ilesotomy) and not having my family there to cheer me up. Hmmmm.
From what i understand its to help infection control, but surely once the visitor is there is doesnt matter how long their there for!?

Vicky x

 

[Misty-Eyed]

When I was in, it was from 2pm-8pm but I know some hospitals won't let visitors in while they are eating dinner.

I was worried how I'd cope as the last time I'd stayed in was when I was really young and hated being alone in hospital. This time I found it not to be nearly as bad as I thought though. It was nice to just do my thing and not feel like I had to keep people entertained all the time. If I felt like talking, I had the other ladies on the ward to talk to or the nurses. Plus there's always mobiles!

I'm sure your family wont have any problems in coming to see you though. x

 

[beth]

I think some wards have differing times. In neurosurgery I was able to visit hubby just about any time. Yet when I was in a general surgical ward they were very insistent on the published times, which I can't remember what they were.

Anyway. Good luck with the surgery, hope it goes okay.

 

[rygon]

Remember if you want to watch tv or make a phone call then you will need quite a bit of money. My bro was in hospital a yr back and now its all personal tvs it was really expensive (£5 a day iirc) Best take some books and drawing / colouring in pads to help pass the time. Good luck with your op

 

[Rebecca85]

At my hospital, general wards are 2-8pm. You can stay during dinner, but they don't like you entering or exiting the ward during that time. ICU or other urgent care wards tend to be 10am- 8pm.

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Some wards at my local are high dependancy and as such visitors are free to come and go.
Generally though, it's 3-4 and 7-8 daily.

As long as you let your family know the visiting hours I am sure they can arrange their trip around them for you, and you can phone them anytime

 

[Astra]

I think mine's 2-4pm and then 6-8pm
and also, bear in mind some of them only allow 2 people round the bedside too.
Good luck on Thursday Vicky, we'll all be rooting for you
xxxxx

 

[Mister_Hotspur]

Mine is 3pm -5pm and then again 7pm -8pm. I remember in the High Dependancy ward they were quite strict on enforcing these times and really only allowed 3 people in to see me a couple of times.

Other wards were the same times but they were more flexible and especially so if you have your own room. They are very strict around food times and medicine time - although understandably so. Im guessing it depends where you are in the country/size of ward/staff on duty but you should be able to find on the hospitals website.