Type IIR surgical face masks must be worn on the hospital premises.

Anyone wearing a fabric covering will asked to replace it with a blue disposable surgical facemask which are available at entrances.

You should only attend hospitals for an essential reason such as an appointment or visiting a patient and not to use retail facilities, cafes or toilets.

Appointments

Please attend appointments on your own to help maintain physical distancing and avoid waiting areas becoming overcrowded. If you have been driven to a hospital please ask friends or family members to drop you off and return to pick you up later or wait for you in the hospital car park. This is particularly important in the Emergency Department, Outpatient Department, X-ray Department and Minor Injuries Unit as these areas can be very busy.

However, in certain circumstances one person can attend with a patient – this includes:

when a person may have difficulty understanding what treatment or course of action a clinician is discussing
where a person has dementia, a learning disability or autism
where a person is receiving bad news or information that is potentially life-changing
where a person is receiving a cancer diagnosis or discussing cancer treatment options
accompanying a pregnant woman to an appointment or scan (this would be a birth partner in most instances)
where a person is distressed or stressed

Preparing for an operation

Patients must strictly follow the national public health guidance on physical distancing, wearing face coverings and, in particular, reduce their social contacts/interactions for 10 days before surgery and self-isolate for 3 days before their operation.

If you receive an appointment for a Covid-19 vaccine for during this 10-day period you should call the local Covid-19 vaccination helpline on 0800 130 3120 to reschedule your appointment. Ideally your vaccine should be given more than ten days before your surgery or one week after.

For further information and advice see the Pre-surgery Advice and Guidance.

Visiting Arrangements

Most patients can have one visitor and this should be arranged with the relevant ward in advance.

Up to two people can visit for essential reasons which includes visits to support people with dementia, learning disabilities and autism.

There are no restrictions on time or the number of people providing support for patients receiving end of life care.

Antenatal appointments and scans – you can bring one person with you to appointments and scans
Labour and birth – you can have one birth partner throughout induction, labour and birth (except during a general anaesthetic) and a second birth partner, if requested, subject to local risk assessments and physical distancing. One birth partner and a another designated visitor subject can visit after the birth.
Neonatal visiting – both parents/primary care givers are supported to have maximum access to their baby together. Visits by siblings may also be possible, particularly where a baby is expected to remain in neonatal care for a longer period of time.
Children’s Ward – patients in the Children’s Ward can have visits from both parents/care givers as well as a named visitor. However, a maximum of two people should visit at one time to support physical distancing.

Visitors may be asked to stagger visits or limit the length of their visit to help keep staff and patients safe but staff will try to be as flexible as possible .

Before and during your visit

Visitors be asked to provide their contact details for Test & Protect purposes. You are strongly encouraged to have a voluntary Lateral Flow Test prior to visiting and then undertake these tests twice a week.

You should not visit if you:

Are feeling unwell
Have a new or continuous cough
Have had sickness or diarrhoea within the last 48 hrs
Have had a temperature or fever
Have experienced any change to your normal sense of taste or smell
Are self isolating because you have been in contact with someone with suspected or confirmed Covid-19

Visitors should:

Maintain physical distancing wherever possible
Wear a surgical face mask – these are available at hospital entrances
Use hand sanitiser before you enter the hospital and before and after you enter a ward or department or touch anything
Wear PPE, if required
Take the stairs, if possible, to avoid overcrowding in lifts which are restricted to a maximum of two people

Shops, Toilets & Food Outlets

The restaurant at Forth Valley Royal Hospital is not currently open to the public.

NHS Forth Valley operates a no smoking policy on all hospital grounds.