Guidance for visitors
There are lots of winter viruses around at this time of year. Some wards have added infection control measures in place.
Please help protect our vulnerable patients by following these guidelines.
If you are coming to visit:
- Clean your hands when entering and leaving wards
- Wear a surgical face mask in areas where display banners or staff ask you to
Do not visit if you have:
- Fever or cold like symptoms
- Diarrhoea or vomiting
You need to wait 48 hours after your symptoms clear before visiting.
Read more about our infection prevention and control measures.
Standard visiting times
Visiting hours for all our wards are between 2pm – 8pm seven days a week (unless individual wards provide alternative information).
Visiting for adults
If required, one relative or friend may accompany patients in the following areas:
- Emergency department (ED) at Watford
- Urgent treatment centre (UTC) at Watford and Hemel
- Emergency assessment unit (EAU) at Watford (2pm-8pm)
- Ambulatory care unit (ACU) at Watford
- Clinical decisions unit (CDU) at Watford
If required, a maximum of two visitors per patient bed space are allowed between 2pm-8pm in the following areas:
- Inpatient wards at Watford, Hemel and St Albans, including ICU and acute admissions unit (AAU)
Visiting for adults in COVID assigned areas
Visiting a COVID assigned area requires a face mask to be worn. This applies to:
- COVID-19 positive wards at Watford – Winyard ward
- Any COVID-19 positive patients in siderooms
Exceptional circumstances
More flexible visiting will be allowed, under the guidance and support of the nurse in charge, in the following exceptional circumstances.
- The patient is receiving end of life care
- The patient is in our Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
- The patient is a child on a paediatric ward, being visited by their parents or an appropriate adult
- The patient has a mental health issue, where not having a family member present would cause distress to the patient
- The patient has dementia, a learning disability or autism, where not having a family member present would cause distress to the patient
The visiting arrangements, including the number of visitors, will be subject to discussion and agreement with the nurse in charge taking in to account the safety of others.
Visiting for children and babies
Visiting is open to parents or guardians as follows:
- Starfish ward, Children’s emergency department (CED), paediatric assessment unit (PAU) and Safari day unit - two parents or guardians may accompany child.
- Neonatal unit and transitional care - both parents can visit 24/7.
Maternity visiting
View details about current visiting arrangements for maternity.
The final decision regarding visiting will always be at the discretion of the nurse in charge.
Please note, wards may be subject to closure at short notice due to infection control measures.
Please keep in close contact with the ward before visiting.