Ward visiting hours

University College Hospital

Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital

National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing

Protected meal times
Protected meal times is supported by the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health Food Watch Report which indicates that patients who are uninterrupted and receive appropriate service and support during meal times feel happier, more relaxed and eat more. The exception to this rule is when visitors or carers are assisting patients to eat and drink.

During this time all non-emergency activities are put on hold, example: taking patients away from the ward for tests and professional staff consulting with patients.
Rest and sleep periods
There are some restrictions to visiting times to allow patients time for rest and recovery, and for care and treatment to be carried out.
Infection control standards:
- Please do not visit the hospital if you are sick yourself.
- Make sure that you wash your hands on the ward or use the alcohol gel before and after visiting a patient in hospital.
- No more than two visitors at any time around the bed unless otherwise stated.
- Any children visiting must be supervised all the time, so that they do not touch equipment or dressings.
- Please check with the nurse in charge before visiting a patient if you have a medical condition which makes you vulnerable to infection, or a mild infection such as a cold, or if you feel unwell.
- Please do not sit on the bed.
- Inform ward or department staff if you notice the alcohol gel dispensers are empty or not working.
Presents for patients
Patients like to receive gifts while in hospital. Visitors can bring gifts such as fruit, sweets, books and magazines, but it is important not to clutter the patient’s bed area. Check with the ward staff before bringing someone a gift of flowers.
What not to do when visiting someone in hospital
- It's best not to sit on the patient’s bed as this can spread germs. Use the chairs provided.
- Don’t put your feet on the patient’s bed.
- Don’t touch the patient’s wounds or any medical equipment they are attached to, such as drips or catheters. This can cause infections.
- Don’t use the patients’ toilets. Ask the ward staff where the nearest public toilets are.
- Don’t share property, such as toiletries, tissues or items of hospital equipment with the patients.
- Don’t use your mobile telephone as this can disturb patients and creates unnecessary noise.
Large groups of visitors are welcome to wait in the public areas of each hospital site and rotate the visitors present at the patient’s bedside.

If you are unable to attend during visiting hours, talk to the member of staff in charge of the ward to arrange an alternative time to visit.

Ward visiting hours

Protected meal times

Rest and sleep periods

Infection control standards:

Presents for patients

What not to do when visiting someone in hospital