General/visiting Information for Bristol and Weston

COVID-19 Homepage	General/visiting Information for Bristol and Weston
Outpatient hospital appointments (not including maternity)	Maternity services
Share your experiences of our services during COVID-19

Please use the sections above to find out the latest information about visiting, outpatient appointments, maternity services, how to share your experiences of our services during COVID-19, and how share a message with your loved one in hospital. 

Visiting

In line with national guidance, we have eased our visiting restrictions on site.

This guidance is subject to change at short notice so please check this website for updates.

Before your visit

Please do not visit a patient in hospital if you feel unwell. This includes symptoms of COVID-19, sickness, diarrhoea, fever, sore throat or flu.

During your visit (face masks)

You will be required to wear a surgical face mask (unless exempt) in clinical areas of our hospitals. These areas will be clearly signposted and surgical masks will be available at the department entrance.

If you wish to wear a face mask in all areas of our hospitals, please do so.

Visiting arrangements

Adult inpatients wards (excluding maternity) 

• Maximum of two visitors per patient at any one time between 11am and 7pm. You will be required to wear a surgical face mask (unless exempt) in some areas of our hospitals where stated. Please let us know if you are exempt from wearing a face mask. The Trust will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments, if appropriate.
• This guidance will be applied with as much flexibility and compassion as possible. Staff will consider each patient's needs on an individual basis. Please contact the ward to discuss.
• We recognise that some patients need additional support to meet their communication, health or social care needs. If you are in attendance to support the needs of a patient as a carer or support worker, you will be made to feel welcome and will not be counted as a visitor. Where possible either the patient or their representative should contact the ward or department in advance to discuss, and to make sure that appropriate arrangements can be put in place.

Maternity guidance

Visiting guidance for maternity service can be found on the  St Michael's Hospital COVID-19 page.

Bristol Royal Hospital for Children

All inpatient wards (with the exception of Starlight Ward) can have two parents/carers plus one child (sibling of the patient) with each patient. Starlight Ward can have two parents/carers with each patient.

For the children's emergency department (ED), Carousel outpatient department, Rainforest outpatient department, Meadow ward day case unit, Puzzlewood Clinical Investigations Unit (CIU) and Ocean unit - one parent/carer can accompany a child.

Any visitors aged 11 and over must wear a face mask in inpatient ward areas, patient admission areas, and areas with patients who are immunosuppressed. Please let us know if you are exempt from wearing a face mask. The Trust will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments, if appropriate.

Please speak to a member of staff if you feel unwell at all, at any time.

Attending our emergency departments

You may bring one person with you if you need support.

Please wear a face mask in our emergency department unless you are exempt from doing so, and use the hand gel provided. Please let us know if you are exempt from wearing a face mask. The Trust will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments, if appropriate.

Attending a hospital appointment

Hospital appointments are running as normal. Please don't call to check that a booked appointment is going ahead. If anything changes with your care, we will be in touch.

Individuals attending hospital for an appointment can be accompanied by one other person.

• Please arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before your appointment.
• Please leave the building promptly after your appointment.