Visitors are very welcome at the Trust. Visiting times may vary from ward to ward, so it is advisable to check before you arrive. As rest is often an important part of a patient's recovery, we ask that no more than two people visit at any one time. We also ask visitors not to make too much noise on the wards as this might disturb other patients.
Children are welcome but should be accompanied at all times by a responsible adult.
Please do not visit any of our hospitals if you are suffering or recovering from any infectious illnesses such as diarrhoea, vomiting, coughs, colds or flu.
Most of our wards have "protected meal times". (This is not the case on the Maternity wards and where patients are very ill.) Protected meal times aim to make sure that patients can enjoy their meals undisturbed and to encourage patients to eat enough food to help with their recovery.
Visitors who wish to visit so they can help feed their relative are welcomed. If visitors are unsure, they should telephone the ward first.
If you are dropping off or collecting a patient from Great Western Hospital and require a wheelchair, please ask for assistance at the nearest reception desk. A £1 coin is required to release a wheelchair, which will be returned to you.
Mobile phones should not be used in some areas, as they might interfere with some medical equipment or disturb other patients. In the places where you can use them, please keep them on silent mode and be considerate to other patients. Always check with staff before using a mobile phone.
The use of a mobile phone camera is also not permitted on the wards as this may compromise patient confidentiality.
The ward nursing staff appreciate the need for you to enquire about your friend or relative's well-being. We would ask that, where possible, the patient nominates one person to act as a point of contact for any enquiries. This person can then inform the rest of the family and friends.
All wards in the hospital have direct telephone lines, so the nominated named person or next of kin will be able to contact the staff looking after your relative or friend. If you are a patient's next of kin and would like to speak to the Doctor in charge of your relative's care, the ward staff will be able to arrange this with the patient's permission.
We have lent our support to Justvisiting.com, a free and confidential website which provides a safe and secure way for relatives and friends to keep each other updated on a patient's progress while they are in hospital. Patients can visit the website from their hospital bedside or from home, benefiting from more social contact and interaction, while family and friends can log on to view your progress and stay in touch. This can save family, friends and nursing staff from sharing the news through costly phone calls.
Help and support available at the hospital and in the local community.