Our normal visiting hours are from 12 (midday) to 7.30 pm.
We ask visitors to leave between 7:30 pm and 9 pm to allow nursing handover and safety checks. It is important that nurses are not distracted during these activities.
Visitors may also come for a short visit between 9 pm and 10 pm to help patients settle for the night.
We routinely make exceptions to the visiting hours for:
- parents of teenage patients
- carers for patients with learning disabilities or special needs
- where patients are nearing the end of life
However, we recognise that there may be other reasons why people require special visiting arrangements. Please tell us if the times do not work for you. We will try to adjust them where possible.
We welcome close family and friends. We usually allow two people at the bedside at one time. If more than two people come, we will ask you to take turns at the bedside.
Please talk to the bedside nurse before bringing children to visit. Critical care can be a scary place. Together, we can help you decide if a visit is right for them today and how to prepare.
Children should be accompanied by an adult and stay with them at all times. For child-friendly information about critical care, see ICUsteps information for children.
Please speak to the bedside nurse when you come in. We may ask you to wait for a short time while we give care.
To help us reduce the risk of infection, please:
- Clean your hands when you arrive and before you leave. Use the sinks or the alcohol gel.
- Do not visit if you feel unwell, or if you have a cold, diarrhoea or vomiting. If you are unsure, please call the unit for advice.
- Keep to two visitors at the bedside and supervise any children. Please do not sit on the bed or touch medical equipment.
- Tell us if you notice an empty soap or alcohol gel dispenser.
Read more: Controlling hospital infections and Infection Prevention and Control at UCLH .
During your visit, we may need to give care at the bedside. We might ask you to step away for a short time so we can do this safely.
Scans and procedures can also happen during visiting hours. If you want to check what is planned, please call before you come in. We try to plan care to give you as much time as possible together.
Patients need quiet time to rest and recover. Please follow staff requests if we ask you to step out or reduce noise — it helps us care for your loved one.
- T03 Critical Care: Large and small visitor rooms with free tea and coffee. A microwave and a fridge are available. The small room is for private talks with the clinical team. Both rooms are open 24 hours.
- T06 Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU): There is no visitor room on T06. However, you are welcome to use the facilities on T03.
- Grafton Way Building (GWB) Critical Care: Large and small visitor rooms next to the main reception. Free tea and coffee are in the large room. A microwave is also available. Rooms are open 24 hours. The small room is for private talks with the clinical team.
- Westmoreland Street (WMS) PACU: A visitor room is to the left of the unit entrance. It is open 24 hours.
Our visitor room is a shared space for everyone, so we kindly ask for your understanding. If your group is quite large, our staff may suggest that some visitors wait in another area to make sure there’s room for all.
You’re very welcome to take a break in one of our hospital cafés or explore the nearby cafés around the site.
If you’d like a longer break away from the bedside but still close to the hospital, the Cancer Centre living room is a nice option. We also have prayer rooms available at both the University College and Grafton Way sites for quiet reflection.
