Visiting us

Visiting times are 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday.

Two visitors are allowed at the bedside at any one time, if space on the ward allows. Children are welcome to visit if accompanied by an adult, and do not count as one of the two visitors.

Visitors are welcome during mealtimes which take place between 12pm to 1pm and 5pm to 6pm.

Dolphin, Panda and Penguin wards

One parent or carer can always stay with the child and can swap at any time.

Parents, carers and siblings can visit from 8am to 8pm, and the wider family from 1pm to 6pm. We ask that there is a maximum of two people at the bed / cot side at any one time.

Seahorse

Only one parent or carer can stay with the child. Please speak with the nurse in charge if you need extra support.

Oliver Fisher Neonatal Unit (NICU)

Both parents / carers and siblings can stay with their baby / babies at any time. Parents and carers are partners in care and are not considered to be visitors.

Other family members (aged over 16 years) can visit at any time if a parent or carer is present. We ask that there is a maximum of two people at the cot side at any one time. We will monitor the number of visitors on the unit to ensure it stays at a safe level.

We have the following measures in place for birth partners and visitors to our maternity services so that women in our care can access the care and support they need from families and those closest to them during pregnancy and birth.

Overnight support – one support person for the duration of your stay 24/7. Please respect the privacy and dignity of everyone at all times. Please take any telephone calls away from the ward areas as others on the ward may be trying to sleep at any time of the day. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Induction of labour and early labour care

Labour and birth – two birth partners throughout labour and birth. They can stay with you in a birthing room for labour care either on the Delivery Suite or The Birth Place. They can stay after the birth until transfer to the postnatal ward, usually two to three hours after birth. If this is within visiting hours they may remain until visiting ends (8am to 8pm).

Attending hospital for labour assessment and support – one partner when you come to hospital for assessment of labour.

Elective caesarean section – one birth partner can accompany you to theatre. When transferred to the ward, you can have two visitors with you.

Pearl and Kent wards – two visitors can visit between 8am and 8pm. Siblings are welcome to visit with their responsible adult from 8am to 8pm.

Ultrasound scanning appointments – one support person.

Hospital antenatal clinic appointments – one support person.

Maternity Care Unit (MCU) and Delivery Suite Triage – one support person.

Community Antenatal and Postnatal Appointments – two support people.

Visiting times are 11.30am to 7.30pm across critical care units – Intensive Care Unit (ICU), High Dependency Unit (HDU) and Enhanced Care Unit (ECU).

Our staff will do all that they can to help families if they are unable to attend during these times or are visiting patients who are receiving end of life care. Please speak with the nurse in charge to see how the unit can best support your visits.

Please be aware that 2.30pm to 4pm is quiet time for patients on the unit.

During this period the lights are dimmed and patient interventions are reduced to allow them to rest. Visitors are still welcome but are encouraged to take a break.

 Patients can be accompanied to an outpatient appointment.

Visiting times for the Frailty Unit at Sheppey Community Hospital are 1pm to 7.30pm

We will do all we can to help families visiting patients who are receiving end of life care. Please speak with the ward manager to see how we can best support your visits.

The Care Quality Commission has published guidance on fundamental standards for those visiting and accompanying in care homes, hospitals, and hospices, and what people using health and social care services and their families, friends or advocates can expect.

This aims to make sure:

• people staying in a care home, hospital or hospice can receive visits from people they want to see
• people living in a care home are not discouraged from taking visits outside the home
• people attending appointments in a hospital or hospice, that do not require an overnight stay, can be accompanied by a family member, friend or advocate if they want someone with them.

The guidance explains what we must do to make sure we respect the right of each person to receive visits and to be accompanied, following an assessment of their needs and preferences.

You can find full details of Regulation 9A on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website.

You can also download the CQC Regulation 9A Easy Read Leaflet.