Information for Family and Friends

We believe that visitors play an important part in the healing process and we therefore welcome and encourage both families and friends to visit.

Visiting Hours

Our visiting hours are flexible and extend from 10.30am to 9pm. There may be occasions when visiting hours may be restricted by ward staff for reasons such as doctor’s consultations, routine daily procedures or to facilitate periods of rest as deemed necessary by nursing or medical staff.   We ask patients and visitors to comply with this.  It is in the best interests of patient safety.

Rest and a calm environment is important to recovery.  We ask that consideration is shown for all patients and particularly for those in shared accommodation.

We suggest the following:

• limit visitors to 2 at a time
• be mindful of noise levels
• young children should be with an adult at all times
• ask those with a cold, flu, stomach bug or other infection not to visit you

 

We also suggest that you nominate a member of your family as a spokesperson to share information on your condition to other family members and friends, this will help nursing staff when they are busy.

If in exceptional circumstances a family member requires access after 9pm, permission is needed from the senior nurse in charge (CNMIII).  Please speak to your ward nurse about this to arrange in advance.

If a family member is called in after 9pm, the senior nurse in charge will advise security to allow access.

Flowers

From the 1st of January flowers will no longer be permitted in any part of the hospital due to new infection control and hygiene requirements.

Unfortunately infections and bacteria can innocently be carried into patient areas in soil, water and even in dust which collects on plants and flowers.  Therefore in the best interests of patient safety to prevent the spread of infection and maintain the highest standards possible of infection control it has been decided to implement this measure.

Smoking

The Mater Private is a non-smoking facility.  If you need smoking cessation aids please talk to your ward nurse. The doors at the main entrance are locked from 9pm and smoking outside is not permitted after 9pm