Visiting
We continue to welcome visitors to our hospitals but, for everyone’s safety, it’s important to read all the information below carefully before attending.
Guidance for visitors
Visiting hours for all of our wards are between 2pm-8pm each day.
Visitors to all our hospitals do not need to wear masks unless it is their personal preference to do so, or it has been risk assessed as necessary (e.g. their friend/relative is on a respiratory ward or in protective isolation).
Do NOT visit if:
- You have any COVID-19 symptoms, feel unwell with viral type symptoms, have a rash and/or fever, have diarrhoea and/or vomiting or have been in contact with a person who has.
- You have recently tested positive or recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or had COVID-19 symptoms.
We advise against visiting if:
- You have any autoimmune conditions
- You have a long-term respiratory condition (e.g. asthma, COPD)
- You are under 12 years of age
- Please speak to the person in charge prior to visiting if you want to bring a child under 12 onto the ward due to exceptional circumstances.
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 – Tudor and Castle wards
- 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
Details about current visiting arrangements for maternity can be found here.
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.
