Visiting Times, Advice and Information for Patients & Visitors
Please note, visiting can be restricted or suspended with immediate effect if there are any safety concerns due to a spread of infection on our wards or in our communities.
To confirm that the ward you are planning to visit is currently open, please call our switchboard numbers:
- For Whiston and St Helens Hospitals please dial 0151 426 1600
- For Newton Community Hospital please dial 0151 290 4835
Please do not visit our hospitals if you have been in contact with someone with measles in the last three weeks, or you are unwell with the following symptoms.
- high temperature
- runny or blocked nose
- sneezing
- a cough
- red, sore watery eyes
Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth. If you have had measles, you must not visit until day 4 after the onset of the rash (day of onset of the rash being day 0) and are feeling well.
If you need to attend hospital and have been in contact with measles in the last three weeks, please inform us as soon as possible: if attending hospital urgently, please inform the receptionist or clinical team as soon as you arrive; if you have a planned appointment, please inform your clinical team as soon as possible prior to attending.
Further information about measles can be found here: Measles - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Visitors are also reminded they must not attend the hospital if they have Symptoms or test positive with COVID-19.
- Visiting
Visiting Hours
Please do not visit the hospital if you are feeling unwell, have a cough, cold or flu-like symptoms, or vomiting or diarrhoea. Please wait 48 hours after the symptoms subside before visiting anyone in hospital.
Visitors should also continue to follow the infection prevention guidance, including washing hands or using alcohol hand gel on arrival and when leaving any ward area.
Please note, visiting can be restricted or suspended with immediate effect if there are any safety concerns due to a spread of infection on our wards or in our communities.
To confirm that the ward you are planning to visit is currently open, please call our main number tel: 0151 426 1600.
Adult Wards
- Visiting times: 1.30pm to 4.00pm and 6.00pm to 7.00pm
- Maximum of two visitors per patient - please note, this must be the same two visitors throughout each session.
Seddon Suite - Visiting Times
A maximum of 2 visitors is allowed at a time.
- Weekdays: 2:30pm to 4:00pm and 6:30pm to 8:00pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 1:00pm to 8:00pm
Maternity Unit - please click here for more information
- Two birth partners may attend Delivery Suite
- One nominated adult may attend Ward 2E (pre/post-natal ward) between 09.00am to 9.00pm
- One nominated adult may attend all antenatal appointments and scans in both the hospital or community.
Children’s Wards
- Maximum of two visitors per patient.
In addition to general visiting:
- Relatives of patients who are in their last hours / days and receiving end of life care, or carers supporting someone with a mental health issue, cognitive impairment such as dementia, a learning disability or autism, where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed, will continue to be supported to visit their loved ones.
- Wearing Masks
There is no longer a requirement for all visitors to wear masks when on Trust premises. However, this will still be required in areas where there are increased numbers of respiratory virus infections – please speak to the nurse in charge of the ward/department for further information.
If you have a requirement to wear a mask due to health reasons or due to personal preference, masks will be provided at the hospital entrances.
- Attending A&E and Outpatients Department
One adult only may support a patient in A&E, or at an outpatient appointment.
This is due to limited space in our waiting rooms.
If you are attending A&E and have tested positive for Covid-19, please inform staff immediately upon arrival. You will be asked to wait in a designated waiting area and must wear an appropriate face mask.
- Virtual Visiting
If you are unable to visit your loved ones in hospital, we encourage friends and family to utilise virtual visiting and the use of phones/tablets whilst on the wards, unless advised otherwise. If you cannot contact your loved one directly, virtual visiting can be arranged, through Facetime, directly with the wards.
If you need any further assistance please contact our PALs Team from 09.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday on 0151 430 1376 or via email pals@sthk.nhs.uk.
- Official Information Sources
- For a British Sign Language Coronavirus information video please click here
- For guides on social distancing in different languages please click here
- For COVID-19 guidance in different languages please click here
- How to safely wear a face mask: Tips for visually impaired people - click here
- For COVID-19 Vaccination information in different languages and large print please click here
If you are concerned about Coronavirus (COVID-19) there is lots of official information online from the NHS and Public Health England. Please refer to the list of official resources below for the latest guidance and advice.
NHS 111: https://111.nhs.uk/service/covid-19
NHS website: https://nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19
Public Health England: gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
World Health Organisation: who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
