Visiting
Regular visits from friends and loved ones is a crucial part of a patient’s recovery and can help them return home sooner.
We believe that individuals are their own best judges when it comes to emotional or practical well-being and that wherever possible, they should be asked about their needs and their wishes respected.
We actively encourage our patients to have as much contact with their loved ones as possible and in support of that have now lifted all visiting restrictions, returning to pre-pandemic arrangements.
Adult inpatients
You are welcome to visit our adult inpatient wards between 10.30am and 8pm, but to avoid our wards getting too busy, which could be overwhelming for some, we kindly ask that no more than two people visit a patient at once.
Please note that if you are a carer, this does not count as one of the two visitors.
These times may vary to fit around the delivery of care so we advise that you check with the specific ward before you visit.
If you require any additional support to allow you to visit your loved one, please speak to the Nurse in Charge of the relevant ward.
You may be asked to leave the ward temporarily during protected mealtimes or to allow for the personal or clinical care of your loved ones.
Carers
If you are normally a carer for the patient at home, you are welcome to stay and provide any personal care or assist with mealtimes should you wish.
We believe that carers should not just be ‘allowed’ but should be welcomed and made to feel part of the care team should they wish. You are an expert in the person for whom you care and are best placed to observe and advocate, communicate, remember, explain and reassure.
We believe we will achieve the best outcomes by working in partnership with you.
However we know family carers often have other responsibilities so please know that you have a right but not a duty to continue to care, as best suits the needs of yourself and the patient and we will respect that.
Children’s wards
Two parents or carers are welcome to stay with their child to support the patient and each other, however only one parent/carer may stay overnight unless in extenuating circumstances - this can be discussed with the nurse in charge.
Siblings are welcome to visit between 10am and 7pm and whilst we don’t place a restriction on the number of siblings we ask that parents are mindful of other patients, space and the environment.
Additional visitors are welcome between 10am and 7pm however we respectfully request that this is limited to no more than three adults per patient at any one time including parent/carer.
Children’s Outpatients and Children’s Observation and Assessment Unit
Two parents or carers are welcome to be with their child in the departments. Due to limited space siblings should only be brought in extenuating circumstances.
Ward 27
Two parents or carers are welcome to be with their child on the ward. If the child is going to theatre/radiology for a procedure only one parent/carer will be able to accompany them down to the relevant department.
ELHT is proud to support breastfeeding and we have a zero-separation policy. For a parent who is breastfeeding you will be supported to have your baby with you.
Outpatients (including Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit, at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital)
If you are attending an outpatients appointment, you are welcome to bring one person with you to your appointment.
Emergency Department / Urgent Care adults and children
Including:
- Royal Blackburn Emergency Department
- Royal Blackburn Urgent Treatment Centre
- Rossendale Urgent Treatment Centre
- Burnley General Hospital Urgent Care Unit
- Accrington Victoria Hospital Minor Injuries Unit
Adults – our Emergency Department is extremely busy so to avoid overcrowding and enable our colleagues to treat people as quickly as possible, we ask that only one person accompany a patient receiving treatment. This can be increased if the patient is in a critical condition.
Children - any child under the age of 18 is able to have two parents or carers accompany them to the Emergency Department.
Exceptional circumstances
Patients in the last days of life or who have a cognitive impairment or a learning disability will be offered flexible visiting arrangements extending outside of the timings stated above.
The Trust supports John’s Campaign for people living with dementia. This means that relatives or carers are welcome to stay with someone living with dementia to support them as needed. Please ask about open visiting hours (this means you can visit at any time), materials to support sleeping over at hospital (e.g. cot beds and blankets) and drinks and snacks as ward stocks allow. The nurse in charge of the clinical area or the ELHT Dementia Lead Nurse will be able to provide further support.
ELHT is also committed to providing Partnership in Care by working with relatives and carers to provide safe, personal, and effective care for vulnerable patients. This could include assisting with physical care, attending to personal care, just sitting with them to share memories, making them feel safe with a familiar face or assisting with mealtimes.
Just knowing that a person they know is there can be a great help to the patient. Carers involvement is always welcome. For carers involved in the Partnership in Care approach, open visiting is offered and free or reduced price car parking is available. Please ask a member of staff for more details.
To help ensure we can make the reasonable adjustments to support someone with learning disabilities or autism while they are in hospital, it is very helpful for us to have a copy of their hospital passport.
Protecting our patients, our visitors and our workforce
To reduce the risk of spreading infection to the most vulnerable, we ask that you do not visit the hospital if you are feeling unwell with anything such as coughs, colds, flu, diarrhoea, vomiting or any other contagious illness.
If any of our wards are experiencing an outbreak of infection, that area may be closed to visitors or you may be asked to wear a mask. This is to protect our patients, colleagues and other visitors.
We ask that you do not visit if you are feeling unwell and/or displaying symptoms of COVID-19, flu symptoms or vomiting and diarrhoea.