Please use the NHS website for general health information about coronavirus and when to seek medical help.

To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital if you have coronavirus symptoms.

Please use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do.

Managing Recovery

NHS: Your COVID Recovery
Chartered Society of Physio Therapy: COVID-19 Road to Recovery
Animated YouTube Video
Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation

After Being in a Healthcare Setting

After being discharged from A&E or a GP consultation: Coronavirus Information
After being discharged from a hospital stay: Coronavirus Information

Every Action Counts – A Video from the NHS

(Updated 29 April 2022)

We are pleased to be able to welcome visitors back to the Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal Hospitals, after visiting was previously suspended in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Tuesday 3 May 2022, all adult in-patients are allowed one visitor for one hour per day between the times of 11.30am – 8pm. 

Please ensure you have confirmed your visit with the ward prior to your visit. See our Ward Directory for contact information.

There will continue to be additional flexibility and support for compassionate visiting (special circumstances) and for those patients with specific needs. There are also separate visiting arrangements for Children’s Wards and Maternity which are all detailed below. Visiting does not apply across all areas of the Trust, in areas where patients with Covid-19 are being treated visiting restrictions will be in place.

COVID-19 numbers in our hospitals remain at significant levels and visitors must follow some key requirements, including wearing face masks and observing social distancing. All visitors are encouraged to take an LFT at home beforehand.

Visitors will be expected to wear PPE which will include a face mask, gloves and an apron for the duration of the visit.

Please DO NOT attend our hospitals if you are COVID-19 positive, are showing relevant symptoms, feel unwell, or are isolating.

Visitors must confirm their visit with the ward, as all visiting arrangements and remaining restrictions are kept under constant review in line with national guidelines and are subject to change at short notice.

Please be aware that visitors may be asked to leave the patient’s bedside temporarily whilst clinical duties and handovers are undertaken.

We recognise the real impacts the visiting restrictions have had on people, and we thank our communities for their patience and understanding during this time.

Compassionate Visiting (Special Circumstances)

Additional visiting may be permitted in exceptional circumstances such as:

• When a patient is considered at End of Life
• When a patient is given a life limiting or palliative diagnosis
• When a patient requires familiar support with communication, dietary or mental health needs including, but not restricted to, patients with Learning Disabilities, Dementia, Delirium with agitation, complex long-term health needs, or severe emotional distress

Compassionate visiting arrangements can be discussed with the Ward Manager or nurse in charge.

Children’s Ward

Compassionate visiting will continue for patients under the age of 18, where one parent/carer is allowed to be with the child. Two named guardians are permitted and these visitors can alternate. The same applies for patients under the age of 18 who are not on a paediatric ward.

Maternity 

Delivery Suite: Two birth partners can attend and will be given a visiting wristband.

Antenatal (Ward 22) and Postnatal (Ward 21): One support partner is able to visit between 9am – 8.30pm. An additional adult visitor is able to attend between 2-5 pm and 6.30-8pm. Maximum of two visitors at the bedside at any one time.

Antenatal and Ultrasound Appointments: One support partner is allowed to accompany each woman to their booking appointment (at around 12 weeks), 16 weeks, 25 weeks, 28 weeks, 31 weeks, 34 weeks, 36 weeks, 38 weeks, 40 weeks and 41 weeks. Please be aware that children should not be brought to appointments.

Neonatal: Two parents, or a parent and named guardian, are able to visit the unit together and have access to the unit at any time, day or night.

We understand that there may be exceptional circumstances in some cases, so please speak to your midwife or care team prior to attending the hospital to discuss any requirements you may have.

Emergency Departments

Patients attending the Emergency Department, Surgical Assessment Unit or Medical Assessment Unit can be accompanied by one nominated person. The person supporting the patient should remain consistent and not change. Additional support may be permitted in exceptional circumstances.

Outpatient and Diagnostic areas

Patients attending outpatient appointments can be accompanied by a nominated person to support them.

Specific Needs

You can accompany someone into our hospitals if you are:

• Supporting them and the patient has a mental health issue such as dementia; a learning disability or autism where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed
• A carer for a vulnerable patient, or interpreter
• Supporting them at an outpatient appointment where they may become distressed

Thank you for your cooperation and help in this. 

With some visiting restrictions still in place, it is important to keep patients connected with the people who are important to them.

We have a patient property drop off service to enable relatives/friends to drop off essential items and collect any items the patient wishes to send home. Only one relative or friend should come on to the site to bring the bag.

The service runs from 9am – 4pm, 7 days a week (excluding Bank Holidays) at the designated drop off areas. These are:

• The Ward Block entrance at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
• The Main Entrance at the Princess Royal Hospital.

Please click here to access the site map.

Important information:

Only 1 bag of essential belongings can be dropped off. The bag should be wipeable and no bigger than approximately 60cm x 60cm.

The bag must be labelled with the following information:

• Patient’s name and date of birth (if known),
• The ward the patient is on, and
• The name and telephone number of the person dropping the bag off.

You will be asked to show your ID when you arrive to confirm your identity.

You will also be asked to fill in a form to confirm the items which have been dropped off/collected.

Unable to drop items off?

You can purchase items from our League of Friends shop at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Friends of PRH shop at the Princess Royal Hospital, Telford, which will be delivered to your loved one. Items which can be purchased include: toiletries, magazines, cards and small items of food that do not need to go in the fridge (e.g. biscuits). Purchases are subject to a £5 minimum and your card details will be taken over the phone.

Royal Shrewsbury Hospital: Email: lee.herkes@nhs.net / Phone: 01743 261008

Princess Royal Hospital: Email: tanya.griffin@nhs.net / Phone: 01952 641222 ext: 4211

Car parking charges for visitors and patients have now been re-introduced at our hospitals. More information about parking charges is available here