Visiting times and information

We have eased some of our current restrictions around visiting to enable you to see loved ones and friends safely while they are being cared for in our hospitals. Please see information on visiting below and the measures we need you to take to protect yourself, our patients and our staff. Thank you for your support and co-operation.

Please note that we would encourage all visitors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (if medically able to do so) as we know this helps reduce the risk of spreading the virus to those who are more vulnerable.

Visitor Guidance and Restrictions

Visiting will not permitted for anyone with the following:
•    Symptoms of COVID-19 or other illness, such as sickness and diarrhoea.
•    A positive home (lateral flow) test result or PCR test
•    Household contacts of those with COVID-19

Visitors are encouraged to undertake COVID-19 testing at home before visiting wherever possible. 

Adult inpatient wards

• Each patient will be allowed two named visitors per day (subject to appointment availability).
• All visits must be booked in advance via our wards. You can contact our switchboards on 0191 5656256 (Sunderland Royal) and 0191 4041110 (South Tyneside District Hospital) and ask to be put through to the ward, or direct lines to wards can be found here. Please only ring to book appointment after 10am.
• Please note that we are not allowing visitors on our COVID-19 wards at this time. In exceptional circumstances (such as end of life or to provide essential care) visiting should be discussed with the nurse in charge.
• Children (under 16 years of age) are not permitted on the wards at this time.

Children’s wards and neonatal

• Both parents / carers are welcome to stay with a child on our children’s wards. There are no time restrictions.
• Children (siblings etc) are not permitted on the wards at this time.
• Both parents / carers will have unrestricted visiting for babies in the high dependency unit on our neonatal ward. 
• Both parents / carers can have unrestricted access to visit babies on the low dependency unit on our neonatal unit.

Emergency Departments / Urgent Care

• Patients can be accompanied in our Emergency Departments and Urgent Care Centre by one other person.
• Two parents / carers can accompany children under the age of 16 years old.
• You must wear a face mask and keep a social distance wherever possible in our waiting rooms. Please follow this at all times. The only exemptions will apply to those with genuine medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask and children under 11.

Emergency Assessment Units

• Any carers present at time of admission to support transfer may stay on the Emergency Admissions Unit for 15 mins only. 
• All other visiting will be virtual. The Emergency Assessment Units have the technology to support this. Please call the unit to arrange your virtual visit.
• Any exceptional visiting requirements can be discussed with the nurse in charge.

Maternity

• We continue to support mums-to-be to bring one partner / support person with them to scans, antenatal clinics and antenatal day unit appointments. Partners and those supporting our mums-to-be are welcome to stay within the department, but are asked the wear a face mask at all times (unless medically exempt).
• We are now welcoming two birthing partners to accompany mums-to-be during labour and delivery. Your birthing partners are advised to bring snacks and refreshments with them as they will be encouraged to stay within the unit.
• We continue to support mums and mums-to-be to have one partner / support person with them for the duration of their stay on the ward. Please let our team know who this will be.
• We are welcoming two visitors on our postnatal ward (this can include a sibling). Visiting will be for an hour and will need to be arranged in advance with the ward.

Outpatient appointments

• Patients can be accompanied by one person at all outpatient appointments.
• Two parents / carers can accompany children under the age of 16 years old at their appointment.
• You must wear a face mask and keep a social distance wherever possible in our waiting rooms at all times. The only exemptions will apply to those with genuine medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask and children under 11.

Exceptional circumstances

• We recognise there will be exceptional circumstances (for example patients who have dementia, delirium, learning disabilities and those patients receiving end of life care). Options for supporting patients outside of normal visiting hours should be discussed with the nurse in charge.

Important information for all visitors (PLEASE READ)

• You must not visit if you feel unwell in any way or if anyone in your household has tested positive for COVID-19. Please speak to the ward staff if you have any questions. 
• You must book a time slot with the ward prior to visiting. You can do this by contacting the ward directly after 10am. Please do not just turn up as you will be turned away.
• You must wear a face mask when entering our Trust buildings. If you do not have one, you can get one from the hygiene stations at all entrances.
• Please do not arrive before your allocated appointment time to allow for social distancing. Please keep a social distance from other visitors outside of our wards and use the buzzer when you arrive to let us know you are here.
• You must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in our ward areas and as directed by our staff. This could be apron, face mask and gloves. If you fail to do this you will not be allowed on to the ward.
• Please wash or sanitise your hands thoroughly when entering and exiting all buildings and again when entering and exiting our wards and clinic areas.
• You will need to keep your face mask on until you leave the building where you should safely dispose of them in the dedicated bins provided.
• If you refuse to comply with these instructions you will not be allowed onto the ward.

Please note that our restaurants are currently closed to the public.

Information for Carers

• We recognise that in some situations carers may need to visit for longer periods of time and outside of normal visiting hours. Involving carers in a patient’s care is always encouraged so please speak to the nurse in charge who can arrange for you to provide additional support. . 

Important information for Carers

• You must not visit if you feel unwell in any way or if anyone in your household has tested positive for COVID-19. Please speak to the ward staff if you have any questions.
• You must wear a face mask when entering our Trust buildings. If you do not have one, you can get one from the hygiene stations at all entrances.
• You must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in our ward areas and as directed by our staff. This could be apron, face mask and gloves. If you fail to do this you will not be allowed on to the ward.
• Please wash or sanitise your hands thoroughly when entering and exiting all buildings and again when entering and exiting our wards and clinic areas.
• You will need to keep your face mask on until your leave the building where you should safely dispose of them in the dedicated bins provided.