Glenfield Hospital Visiting Times 2024

Glenfield Hospital Visiting Times

For those planning to visit loved ones at Glenfield Hospital, it’s important to be aware of the standard visiting hours and any potential restrictions that may apply to certain wards.

Understanding the visiting policies can help ensure a smooth and pleasant experience for both patients and visitors.

Standard Visiting Times for Adult Wards

At Glenfield Hospital, the general visiting hours for adult wards are from 11am to 8pm, with up to two visitors allowed at any given time. This allows family and friends to visit patients throughout the day, providing flexibility for those with busy schedules.

Visiting Restrictions for Certain Wards

While the general visiting times apply to most wards, certain areas of the hospital may have specific restrictions. For instance, wards with patients who are particularly vulnerable due to infections or immune-compromising conditions might enforce stricter visiting protocols.

These restrictions are in place to protect patients and prevent the spread of infections. Visitors are encouraged to contact the ward in advance to check if any special conditions apply.

In areas such as Ward 37, visiting may be prohibited entirely for safety reasons, particularly for patients who are at higher risk.

In such cases, the hospital offers support for maintaining contact through electronic communication tools to ensure patients can still stay connected with their loved ones.

Visiting Policies for End-of-Life Care

For patients in end-of-life care, Glenfield Hospital adopts a more compassionate and flexible approach to visiting. Open visiting is available to ensure that families can spend as much time as needed with their loved ones.

In these sensitive circumstances, the hospital staff are committed to facilitating visits outside the standard hours if necessary.

Other United Kingdom Hospital Visiting Hours:

Princess Royal University Hospital	Cromwell Hospital
Royal Sussex County Hospital	Northwick Park Hospital

Visitors can reach out to the ward staff to arrange visits during critical moments, ensuring that family members can be present and offer the emotional support that is so essential in these situations.

Special Visiting Times for Maternity and Neonatal Units

Visiting loved ones in the maternity and neonatal units at Glenfield Hospital comes with its own set of guidelines and timings to ensure both the comfort and safety of new mothers and babies.

Understanding these specific visiting policies is crucial to helping families navigate the experience smoothly while providing ample support to their loved ones.

Maternity Ward Visiting Policies

At Glenfield Hospital, the maternity ward has flexible visiting times to accommodate new parents and their support network.

Birth partners are given extended visiting hours, running from 8am to midnight, allowing them to spend as much time as possible with the mother and newborn during this important period.

Family members and friends are welcome to visit during the following hours:

2pm – 4pm
6pm – 8pm

However, only two visitors are allowed per bed space at a time to ensure a comfortable environment for the mother and baby.

It is recommended to arrange visiting times in advance to avoid overcrowding in the ward, and the hospital staff are always on hand to help coordinate this process.

Visiting the Neonatal Unit

For those visiting the Neonatal Unit, which cares for newborns needing specialized medical attention, there are additional considerations to keep in mind.

Parents, grandparents, siblings, and significant others (as determined by a care plan) are permitted to visit, but the unit can only accommodate two visitors per cot due to space constraints and the need for maintaining a sterile environment.

The hospital is committed to flexibility, particularly for families with multiple children, to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to visit the newborn in the unit.

The hospital encourages parents to reach out directly to the neonatal ward to discuss any specific needs or requests regarding visiting times. This ensures that all family members can support their loved ones while adhering to the necessary medical guidelines.

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU) Visiting Hours

Visiting a loved one in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or High Dependency Unit (HDU) at Glenfield Hospital comes with its own set of guidelines.

These units care for patients who require close monitoring and intensive medical treatment, so it is important for visitors to follow the specific visiting hours and rules to ensure both patient safety and smooth hospital operations.

Visiting Times for ICU and HDU

The visiting times for both the ICU and HDU at Glenfield Hospital are as follows:

11:30am – 7:30pm, allowing visitors a large window to see their loved ones while ensuring that critical care staff have time to perform essential medical procedures and patient care outside of these hours.

Each patient is permitted two visitors at a time per bed space, which helps manage the flow of visitors and maintain a calm environment for patients who are often in very delicate health.

It’s recommended that visitors coordinate with the ward staff to make sure that visits do not interfere with treatments or assessments.

Guidelines for Visiting Critically Ill Patients

Visiting a critically ill patient in the ICU or HDU can be an emotional experience. Glenfield Hospital understands this and aims to offer flexibility while maintaining the highest standards of care.

If your loved one is in a particularly critical condition, the hospital may allow exceptions to the general visiting hours, enabling family members to spend more time with the patient during crucial moments.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Communicate with the staff: In situations where a patient’s condition changes rapidly, staff may adjust the visiting times to ensure the family can be present.
Infection control protocols: Visitors may need to follow stricter hygiene protocols, such as using hand sanitizers or wearing protective equipment, to minimize the risk of infections to vulnerable patients.
Comfort and support: The hospital encourages open communication with the nursing staff if visitors need extra support or guidance while visiting critically ill loved ones.

Access and Facilities for Visitors at Glenfield Hospital

Understanding the hospital’s access and available facilities can make visits smoother and more comfortable for both patients and their visitors.

Glenfield Hospital offers a range of services designed to assist visitors, from parking to special accommodations for those with mobility or special needs.

Parking Information

Parking at Glenfield Hospital is accessible, but it’s important to plan ahead, as fees apply. There are various options for both short- and long-term parking:

Short-term parking: A pay-and-display system is available, and charges vary depending on the length of stay. For example, a typical one-hour stay costs £1.70, while a four-hour stay costs £4.50.
Weekly and monthly parking tickets: If you are visiting frequently, the hospital offers a weekly ticket for £17.00 and a monthly pass for £56.40. These can be particularly useful for those visiting patients over an extended period.

The hospital also provides free parking for blue badge holders, parents of children staying overnight, and carers of patients hospitalized for over six weeks.

Always ensure you visit the car park office with appropriate documentation, such as an appointment letter or the patient’s ID number, to claim these benefits.

Accessibility and Special Needs

Glenfield Hospital is equipped with services to assist visitors with special needs. The hospital provides wheelchair access at all major entry points, and disabled parking bays are available close to entrances.

For those who require additional support, the hospital has a buggy service run by volunteers, operating between 9am and 4pm. This service helps visitors with limited mobility get around the large hospital grounds.

If you or a loved one has specific needs, such as a learning disability, the hospital offers a dedicated Learning Disability Liaison Nurse. You are encouraged to contact the hospital in advance to arrange any necessary accommodations.

On-Site Amenities for Visitors

Glenfield Hospital offers several on-site amenities to make your visit more comfortable:

Cafes and restaurants: There are a variety of dining options available, from quick snacks to full meals, catering to different dietary preferences.
WiFi access: The hospital provides free WiFi for both patients and visitors, ensuring that you can stay connected during your visit.
Shuttle bus service: For visitors arriving from other Leicester hospitals or nearby locations, a Hospital Hopper bus runs regularly between Glenfield Hospital, Leicester General Hospital, and Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Location: Google Maps

Visiting Glenfield Hospital During COVID-19 or Other Infection Outbreaks

During times of increased infection risk, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting policies at Glenfield Hospital are subject to stricter regulations to protect both patients and staff.

These guidelines are designed to minimize the spread of infection while still allowing families to maintain contact with their loved ones. It’s important to stay informed about the latest protocols before planning your visit.

Current Guidelines and Safety Protocols

In the event of an infection outbreak, Glenfield Hospital may implement restrictions on the number of visitors allowed, as well as mandatory safety protocols. These typically include:

Mask requirements: In certain clinical areas, masks are still required for all visitors. This is especially important in wards that treat vulnerable patients, such as those with respiratory conditions or compromised immune systems.
Hand hygiene: Visitors are expected to sanitize their hands upon entry to the hospital and after leaving patient areas. Hand sanitizers are available throughout the facility to ensure ease of access.
Health checks: Visitors showing any flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, cough, or runny nose, are advised to delay their visit. In cases where symptoms arise, it’s recommended to communicate with the ward and reschedule the visit for a safer time.

For those visiting wards with patients under strict care protocols, it’s also important to check for potential appointment-only visits or limitations to the time spent in the ward.

Glenfield Hospital prioritizes patient health, and these temporary measures help to maintain a safe environment during challenging times.

Virtual Visits for Patients in Restricted Areas

When physical visits are limited, Glenfield Hospital encourages family members to stay connected through virtual communication tools. This can include video calls, phone calls, or other electronic means to keep in touch with patients.

The hospital provides support for families who wish to communicate with loved ones in restricted areas, ensuring that despite physical barriers, emotional support remains intact.

For visitors who cannot attend in person, hospital staff are available to assist with setting up electronic devices for communication, ensuring that families remain connected during periods of strict isolation.

Tips for Planning Your Visit to Glenfield Hospital

To ensure your visit to Glenfield Hospital goes as smoothly as possible, it’s essential to prepare ahead of time.

Knowing what to bring, understanding the facilities available, and having a clear plan for navigating the hospital will help you make the most of your visit and avoid any unnecessary stress.

What to Bring When Visiting a Patient

When planning your visit, it’s helpful to bring along a few essentials:

Identification: Always have a form of ID in case you need to confirm your identity with hospital staff.
Mobile phone: Keep your phone charged for emergencies or to stay in touch with family during your visit.
Medications: If you’re visiting a patient who needs regular medication, make sure to bring any necessary prescriptions or medications for them.
Cash or a card: For parking fees, on-site dining, or hospital services such as the pharmacy.
List of questions: If you are helping a patient navigate their care, having a list of questions ready for the nursing or medical team can ensure nothing is missed.

The hospital also recommends avoiding bringing young children to the wards unless absolutely necessary, as the environment may not be suitable for them.

Ensuring a Smooth Visit

To make your visit as efficient and stress-free as possible, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Arrive early: Parking can sometimes be limited, so arriving a little earlier will give you time to find a space and navigate the hospital grounds.
Check ward restrictions in advance: Some wards may have different visiting hours or restrictions in place, particularly for vulnerable patients. Always confirm visiting times with the ward before heading to the hospital.
Prepare for infection control measures: Be prepared to follow hygiene protocols such as hand sanitizing or mask-wearing, especially during infection outbreaks.
Ask about available facilities: Take advantage of Glenfield’s facilities, including the on-site café and shuttle bus service, to make your visit more comfortable.

By planning ahead and being mindful of hospital policies, your visit will not only be more enjoyable but also beneficial for the patient’s recovery.

Staying informed about Glenfield Hospital visiting times ensures a smooth, stress-free visit while supporting your loved ones during their hospital stay. Understanding the specific hours and guidelines is key to respecting patient care and hospital protocols.

If you’re planning a visit to Glenfield Hospital, take the time to review the visiting policies that best suit your needs, ensuring a thoughtful and well-prepared experience. For further details or updates, always check directly with the hospital before your visit.

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