Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Help us keep patients, staff and volunteers safe
We have made changes to reduce the spread of coronavirus
(COVID-19).
This includes restricting visiting at the Great Western
Hospital.
We understand that this is difficult for lots of people, but
it's important that we follow the guidelines to protect patients,
staff and volunteers.
You are also putting yourself at a greater risk of infection by
visiting the hospital.
If you are planning to visit a patient in the hospital
Please phone the ward or department you are planning
to visit to book a visit.
Visitors are limited to one visitor per patient at any one
time.
There are exceptions, so it's important to phone the ward or
department you would like to visit and ask for their advice
when booking your visit.
For example, two visitors can visit a patient at the end-of-life
and patients under the age of 16, if authorised by a clinician at
the time of booking.
Children and young people under the age of 16 should not visit
the hospital, unless advised otherwise by a clinician.
Accompanying others into hospital
Accompanying a vulnerable patient with a physical or mental
disability
Carers may accompany patients with physical or mental
disabilities, who would be unable to attend alone.
Accompanying a patient under the age of 16
One parent or guardian may accompany a person under the age of
16 to the Emergency Department, the Urgent Care Centre, or to an
Outpatients appointment.
Acting as a nominated birthing partner
One person can be nominated to accompany a woman giving birth.
For further information, please see Maternity Services.
Outpatients and antenatal visits
Patients attending outpatient appointments or women attending
antenatal appointments should attend alone, unless advised
otherwise by a clinician.
One parent or guardian may accompany a patient under the age of
16.
Collecting a patient leaving hospital
If you are planning to collect a patient leaving hospital,
please contact the ward or service for
instructions on where to meet them.
Only one person should enter the hospital building to collect a
patient.
Please do not wait for patients inside the hospital building,
unless you have been asked to by a member of staff.
We do not want people waiting in corridors, in the main atrium
reception area or anywhere else inside the hospital building.
This is because having lots of people inside the hospital
increases the risk of infection to patients, staff and
volunteers.
Staying safe in the hospital
If you visit the hospital you will be asked to wear a face mask
or covering - please see Coming to
the hospital or attending a GP appointment.
You may also be asked to wear additional personal protective
equipment (PPE) by the ward or department you are visiting.
You should stay two metres away from other people where
possible.
We ask all visitors to wash their hands before entering and
leaving the building and to use the hand sanitiser outside each
ward and department.
Further information
Please see also Outpatients.
