Visiting update 

The following information is relevant from September 2022. However we are currently (summer 2023) reviewing our visiting policy and will update this information as soon as possible.

We know visitors are important and benefit patients’ health and wellbeing, but we also recognise that risks, do, unfortunately, remain to those that are vulnerable within our care.

The visiting details below mainly focus on acute hospital sites of Morriston, Singleton and Neath Port Talbot hospitals, and Gorseinon Hospital, in regard to adult services.

We also have specific visiting arrangements for Maternity Services and local arrangements for Neonatal and Paediatrics and Mental Health and Learning Disabilities. Please click on the links below to see these.

If you are coming to outpatients, or for a diagnostic appointment, then please follow the requirements set out in your appointment letter.

It is still very important that all measures are taken to prevent the spread of infection within hospitals and with the support of staff, patients and visitors; we can reduce the risks by following the steps below.

• Visiting will currently be accommodated for at least one hour per day across seven days per week.
• A maximum of two visitors permitted at any one time
• Visiting times will initially be between 2pm to 3pm and 5pm to 7pm. Please contact the ward direct to notify your intention to visit so staff have an opportunity to manage the number of people within the environment.
• We also ask that visitors remain patient and understanding to the needs of the clinical areas within the hospitals, as staff also need to re adjust to visitors present within wards and departments.
• No one feeling unwell should visit
• Visitors must wash or sanitise their hands with alcohol gel on entry and exit from the ward or department, plus wash their hands if they give patients any assistance during the visit. This is very important to support reduction in the spread of infection.
• When visiting the hospital please go directly to your appointment or the ward and leave directly after your visit is finished.  This limits your exposure to others.
• Face Coverings: Visitors may be asked to wear a surgical facemask when visiting parts of the hospital site.
• When face-to-face visits are not practical (due to illness or other reasons) then virtual visits and phone calls can still be facilitated within the clinical areas.

• Where there are outbreaks of infection, routine visiting is not permitted and will be only visiting with purpose and pre-agreed with the Nurse in Charge.

Additional consideration to support visiting at end of life/last days of life

A compassionate approach is essential in balancing of close family members (including children) and others important to the dying person being able to spend time with them and say goodbye but with the need to still manage the infection risk to all.

It may also be especially important to receive spiritual, emotional or religious support at this time. This can be provided by the health care Chaplin who is part of the multi-disciplinary team.

Visitors providing additional support for patients

If you are a carer or helping with rehabilitation, including supporting hydration and feeding of patients, the wards will agree an individual attendance plan with you.

Paediatrics

• Grandparents are able to visit
• Up to four adults can be nominated per family as significant others in place of grandparents depending on the family situation
• Only two people are allowed to a cot/bed space
• Grandparents/nominated significant others will be welcome to visit between 13:00 – 18:00 hours.

Please note if your child is being assessed on the paediatric assessment unit, only parents/carers will be permitted.

Other Clinical Areas

There are specific arrangements for visiting in place for Mental Health, Maternity and Neonatal facilities.

Visiting patients in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities? – please go here 

Visiting your baby in the Neonatal Unit? – please go here

Visiting/accompanying your partner in Maternity Services? – please go here

We are keeping hospital visiting under regular review, and as soon as we feel it is safe to do so we will ease these restrictions as we realise that visiting is important for patients and their families.

Smoking

Please note that since 1st March 2021 it is now illegal to smoke in the grounds of our hospital sites.