Visiting A Patient
Please note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we have had to make some changes to our visiting guidelines. For the latest visiting information please visit the Coronavirus section of our website.
Virtual Visiting
With visiting restrictions currently in place due to Covid-19, The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust have introduced a ‘Virtual Visiting’ service. This means patients who do not have a phone or tablet of their own can use one of the hospital’s devices to video call with the people who are important to them.
After successfully being piloted on a small number of wards, the service is now expanding across the Trust with investments being made in iPads to support this.
If you would like to virtually visit someone in hospital, providing the patient agrees, and the patient does not have their own phone or tablet, please contact the ward who can arrange a video call for you.
Please note: the virtual visiting service is dependent on network availability. Unfortunately, certain areas of our hospitals may not be able to facilitate the service if the device cannot connect to the internet.
Virtual Visiting Guidance:
Microsoft Teams – visitor guide
Send a Message
Do you have a loved one staying in one of our hospitals? You can now brighten their day by sending them a message that will be safely printed and delivered to them! For more information and to send your message please visit the Send Your Message page.
Patient Property Drop Off
You can drop property off for loved ones who are staying in our hospitals. Click here for more info.
Carers
If you are involved in giving care to a patient and would like to carry on doing this whilst they’re in hospital, please speak to the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse. You may be able to help give them more information from you about your relatives or friends care needs.
For more information and support regarding being a carer, please visit our dedicated Carer’s Page.
Do keep your hands clean. Use alcohol gel on entering and leaving the ward. If you are unable to use the alcohol gel for religious or medical reasons, please wash your hands very carefully with soap and water at the sinks provided, then dry them thoroughly.
Do ask advice from the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse before going into an isolation room.
Do leave if we ask. We may need to give care or treatment to your relative or friend, or to another patient. To ensure privacy and dignity we may ask you to wait outside for a few minutes.
Do respect hospital property and ensure you leave all areas clean and tidy.
Do tell us if you have any concerns about patient care or cleanliness, or if you have any suggestions for improvement. Please speak to the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse. If you wish to speak to the Matron please ask a member of staff or reception to contact the Matron for you.
Don’t visit if you are suffering from any infection such as a cold, flu, sore throat, diarrhoea, vomiting or a chest infection. If you have been in contact with an infectious illness, such as chicken pox, do not visit – telephone and ask for advice from the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse.
Don’t use ward toilets – these are for patients only. Please use the nearest public toilets. Ask a member of staff to direct you.
Don’t bring in flowers or plants. Wards cannot allow plants or flowers due to the risk of cross infection.
Don’t share patient toiletries, tissues, towels and other personal items with other patients.
Don’t sit or lie on the patient’s bed.
Don’t touch wounds, dressings or any other medical equipment such as drips or catheters.
Don’t visit in work clothing which may be dirty.
Don’t bring cooked or uncooked meals into the hospital. If you are concerned about special dietary needs for medical, religious or cultural beliefs, please talk to the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse so an appropriate meal plan can be arranged.
Other Useful Information
For advice or support on quitting smoking and information regarding local services, please contact the Hospital Stop Smoking Service (Princess Royal Hospital: 01952 641222 Ext. 4464; Royal Shrewsbury Hospital: 01743 261000 Ext. 4464), or visit our Stop Smoking page.