Wards and visiting

• Disney and Paddington wards- one parent or guardian only. No other visitors or siblings.
• Gosset ward- one parent only. No other visitors or siblings.

No visitors unless there is an exceptional circumstance where one visitor will be allowed. Please be aware that if you do bring more than one person with you our teams will ask additional visitors to leave unless there are exceptional circumstances.

If you come to the hospital for an outpatient appointment please don’t bring someone with you. If it is essential that you have someone with you please let us know and make sure you only bring one person and that you do not bring any children.

You will be able to call someone whilst you are attending your appointment so a relative/carer/friend can listen in to your consultation, however video calling is not allowed.

In the upsetting or difficult circumstance where patients may be at the end of their lives different visiting restrictions will apply. These times are to be agreed at the discretion of the nurse in charge.

From 11 July 2020 we have implemented the following changes to our maternity visiting.

We are introducing limited visiting for one consistent birth partner only and will ask that birth partners are tested for COVID-19:

• 90 minutes in the observation area following transfer from theatre.
• 4 hours visiting per day for women who are having induction of labour.
• 4 hours visiting on Robert Watson ward, between 14.00-16.00.
• Visiting for scans remains unchanged

We will be asking birth partners to be tested for COVID-19 before permitting visiting to the ward areas. If your partner declines a test they will still be able to support you whilst in labour or having an Elective Caesarean section (ELLSCS), however they will not be able to visit ward areas.

Partners will be tested when their partner is admitted or if they are having an elective carsarean section this will be offered at the pre-op check.This will be done on site at NGH, there is no need to arrange a separate test

Partners will be asked to stay by the bedside and will not be able to wander about the ward or use the toilet facilities.

Different visiting arrangements may apply to:                 

• Corby Community Hospital                  
• Danetre Hospital Daventry                  
• Isebrook Hospital (Hazelwood Ward) Wellingborough                                        

Some other specialist wards may also have different arrangements, and ward managers can use their discretion in exceptional circumstances. More restricted visiting times may be in place temporarily from time to time.                

Please refer to this list of ward contact numbers and contact the relevant ward to confirm current arrangements, particularly if you are travelling some distance to visit.

If you are coming in to the hospital you must wear a mask and wash your hands when entering or leaving a ward - with soap and water or the alcohol gel provided.

Facilities for using alcohol gel have been provided near to all the ward entrances and at the bedsides.                

Please use the bedside visitors’ chairs and do not sit on hospital beds. Please do not use patients’ toilets but use the separate toilets for visitors instead.                

Mobile phones, cameras and camcorders must not be used in ward areas.                

Children are not permitted to visit at this time.     

Ringing for details: Please use this list of ward telephone numbers to dial direct to a particular ward. If the number you want is not available, contact the switchboard on 01604 634700.

We also have a number of services available to you that may be helpful during this time

Our Relative Helpline is no longer in operation as our staff have returned to their usual roles.   We know that you are still unable to visit your loved ones, so if you require an update on their condition please contact the relevant ward directly. A list of telephone numbers can be found here: https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Find-Your-Way-Around/Ward-telephone-numbers.aspx If you are unsure which ward your loved one is on please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) who will be able to advise you. PALS can be contacted on 01604-545784 (Monday-Friday 9.00-4pm).

If you want to arrange a video call with your loved one, please contact our Response Volunteer Service on 01604 544136 (Monday-Friday 9am-4pm) and they will be able to make the necessary arrangements for you.

If the call goes to voicemail please leave a message with your name, telephone number and the date and time you would like the call to take place. You will be contacted as soon as possible to confirm this and arrange your call.

This service will run from Monday- Friday 09.30-2.30pm (excluding bank holidays) at the volunteers desk at the south entrance.

To use this service please take note of the following process:

• When preparing belongings please ensure you only pack essential items. These include toiletries, a mobile phone, phone charger or clothing items. You are welcome to include a letter to your loved one in the bag.
• Please do not pack any valuables. It will not be possible for staff on the ward to complete a property checklist and any belongings brought in will not be the responsibility of the hospital.
• Ensure items are packed in a plastic bag which is closed/sealed.
• Clearly label the bag with the patient name and the ward they are on.
• Unless absolutely necessary, only one relative or friend should come onto the site to bring the bag.
• On arrival please go to the volunteers desk inside the South Entrance.
• Only one person should enter the hospital to drop the property off, and they must wear a mask.
• Items will be taken to your loved one within an hour of them being dropped off. Unfortunately we will not be able to tell you when they have received the bag.

If you have any questions on the service please contact the volunteers service on 01604 544136

Patient relatives are welcome to email a letter and/or photos to their relative who is in hospital to the email address tomy.lovedone@ngh.nhs.uk. Please include on your email your relatives full name and which ward they are on.

The service will run from Monday to Friday and all letters received before 3pm will be given to patients on the same day. Any that are received after 3pm will be delivered the next day. On Fridays, we ask that letters are received before 12pm to ensure we can deliver them in time for the weekend. Any received after this may be delivered the following Monday.

Relatives who don’t have access to email, or are unable to text, can use our telephone service by calling 07514 978390 Monday to Friday between 9.30am – 2.30pm. Those calling the service will be able to let the team know what they would like to say and this will be written down and either given or read to the patient on the same day.

Texts can also be sent to this number at any time with a message for loved ones, with those arriving before 2.30pm going to the patient the same day

The local community are welcome to send in letters to be given to patients in the hospital who may not be receiving contact from family & friends at this time. These letters should be addressed to ‘To my friend’, and be sent to tomy.lovedone@ngh.nhs.uk or posted to the patient experience team at:

FAO: Patient Experience Team,

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust,

Cliftonville,

Northampton, NN1 5BD

Letters will be collated and distributed to patients in the wards throughout the hospital.