Attending Appointments & Visiting Arrangements
Visiting Arrangements
New procedures are in place for anyone attending a hospital appointment and restricted visiting arrangements are currently in place to help reduce the spread of coronavirus and protect the health of patients and staff. This is vital while we work towards restarting our services.
Visiting is only permitted in the majority of our hospital inpatient wards for essential or compassionate reasons. Arrangements are also in place to support pregnant women, children and babies during appointments or inpatient stays and these are outlined below.
Examples of essential visits include visits by a designated relative or friend to:
- Support a person receiving end-of-life care
- Support someone with a mental health issue such as dementia, a learning disability or autism where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed
- Support a child or baby in hospital
- Accompany pregnant women to booking scan, 20 week scan and any emergency appointments subject to local risk assessments and physical distancing. Act as a birth partner throughout induction, labour and birth and visit them after they have given birth.
Clinical staff will also aim to be as flexible and compassionate as possible to support visiting in circumstances where it is safe and appropriate to do so. For further information and advice see the NHS Forth Valley Visiting Guidance
Maternity and Neonatal Visiting
Women attending the Maternity Unit can be accompanied by one visitor when attending for booking scan and 20 week anomaly scan. One essential visitor (usually the birth partner) can visit whilst they are in hospital on either the antenatal or postnatal ward. Women in labour can be accompanied by one birth partner.
When visiting the Neonatal Unit, only parents or named care giver can visit. There are no time restrictions for visiting and refreshments are provided.
We would kindly ask you not to bring children with you to the hospital or an outpatient appointment unless necessary and this would require prior discussions. Birth partners must remain within the ward area with their partners or whilst visiting within the Neonatal Unit, and are not permitted to visit other areas within the hospital. We also request that no gifts, flowers or balloons etc are brought into the hospital during visiting to limit the risk of transmission.
In Labour
We recognise that pregnancy and birth are really important times for you and your family and we will support your individual birth choices with high quality, tailored care which is centred around your individual needs. Our dedicated midwives, doctors, maternity healthcare assistants and support staff are committed to giving you personalised care of the highest standard.
At the present time women in labour can be accompanied by a birth partner (as an essential visitor), in the Labour Suite or Alongside Midwifery Unit (AMU), subject to the need to maintain physical distancing wherever possible. They can stay with you in the postnatal period whilst you remain in the Labour ward /AMU.
Arranging Visits in Advance
Arrangements for essential visits must be agreed in advance with the relevant ward or department. All visitors must use the alcohol gel provided when entering and leaving hospitals, wards and other clinical areas, wear a face mask before they enter the hospital and other PPE, as required, throughout the duration of their visit.
For further information and advice see the NHS Forth Valley Visiting Guidance.
Stop and Drop Service
A stop and drop service is in place for families or friends who wish to drop off and collect laundry and other essential items from patients being treated in wards at Forth Valley Royal Hospital during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic – this includes the Acute Assessment Unit and Clinical Assessment Unit. Please see the timetable for details of drop off and collection times. running the stop and drop service at the front of the hospital.
If you require further information about this service or need to make arrangements to drop-off any items out-with these times please contact Pauline Donnelly, Person Centred Care Coordinator on 01324 566523 (mobile – 07985522196) during normal office hours or email pauline.donnelly@nhs.scot
Attending Appointments
Please attend appointments on your own to help maintain physical distancing and avoid overcrowding in waiting areas. If you have been driven to the 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, if thought essential, one dedicated person can attend with a patient. Examples of situations where this might be important include, but are not restricted to:
- 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
- when a pregnant woman attends an appointment in any setting including an obstetric ultrasound (this would be a birth partner in most instances)
- where a person is distressed or stressed
In addition, consideration should also be given as to whether a family member or supporting person can attend a consultation virtually, for example, via an electronic platform or by phone, if a relative or friend cannot attend in person. There may also be occasions where more than one accompanying person is required e.g. translator, mobility support. More information about attending for an operation can be found in our Pre-Surgery Guidance.
Face Coverings
All patients and visitors should wear a face covering when they attend hospital in line with national guidance. If you don’t have your own then you will be provided with a face mask to wear however it would be helpful if you could bring your own if possible to help maintain local supplies.
A face covering does not have to be a surgical or other medical grade mask but must be a facial covering of the mouth and nose. Face coverings worn over the mouth and nose may include face mask, protective visor, scarf or any other type of appropriate covering (it will not be acceptable to pull a shirt, blouse, jumper or coat up to try and cover your nose and mouth). If you choose to wear a face visor it must cover the nose and mouth completely.
Hand Sanitiser
There will be hand sanitiser gel stations/dispensers at main entrances and outside wards so please stop and use the alcohol gel to help protect yourself and others.
Shops, Toilets & Food Outlets
Shops, toilets and restaurants are not currently open to the public to help reduce the risk of infection and avoid any non-essential visits.