Visiting Darent Valley Hospital

Visiting - Updated 19th July

THE TRUST REMAINS AT STEP 2 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MATERNITY WHO WILL BE FOLLOWING STEP 3. THE VISITING RULES BELOW WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

While certain restrictions are set to ease from the 19th July, we will still politely ask that anyone coming to our hospital sites wear an appropriate face covering, maintain social distancing, clean hands and support us with our visiting guidance. If you are medically exempt from wearing a face covering we ask that you please wear a visor where possible.

This is to ensure we are taking every possible precaution to keep those most vulnerable safe. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Outpatients

Due to social distancing in the waiting areas of outpatients it is NOT possible to allow outpatients to have an accompanying person. Only those requiring assistance with communication, and children, may bring an accompanying person. Radiology patients are encouraged to attend by themselves but where required the limit is 1 other person only attending.

Patients attending for an outpatient appointment will be asked to present their outpatient letter or text reminder on arrival. Only essential relatives or carers will be allowed to attend the appointment with the patient.

Any visitor given a limited access pass will be asked if they have or develop Covid–19 symptoms, they MUST NOT attend. Alternative arrangements can be made.

Children's Outpatients

Children attending Outpatient appointments and The Children's Resource Centre are to be accompanied by 1 parent/guardian only. 

We are unable to accommodate other family members or siblings. In exceptional circumstances, where all other childcare arrangements have been exhausted, siblings may be able to attend. It’s important you phone the team to inform them of extra children attending 01322 428232.

We advise that you bring some activities for your child to pass the time in the waiting area. Its important children remain seated and supervised at all times by their accompanying parent/guardian to maintain safety and social distancing. We ask that children and babies are not placed on the floor to play due to the risk of infection.  

Maternity

The Maternity Department has limitations in place. Read there HERE.  

Attending A&E

• Face masks must continue to be worn when you enter the building unless medically exempt. 
• Please ensure you clean your hands using the hand gel provided when you enter and exit and regularly throughout your visit. 
• Please maintain social distancing as you walk around the Hospital. 
• Only in exceptional circumstances, you may bring one accompanying person. This must be agreed with the Nurse in Charge/Streaming nurse.  
• If you are attending with a sick child only one parent/guardian may attend. 
• Please do not request access to the hospital if you are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, unless for emergency treatment. 

Visiting Patients in Hospital

We cannot facilitate visiting until the patient's 5th day in hospital for planned elective admissions, unless on compassionate grounds or end of life care. We are pleased to be able to offer visiting from the 1st day of admission for emergency and unplanned patients. We encourage you to use virtual and telephone visiting where possible.

Those wishing to visit will have to book their 1 hour time slot by calling the ward or department. We understand that trying to get through to departments / wards can sometimes be difficult, we recommend calling after the busy morning period, 11am, and ask for your patience whilst we adjust to this new way of working.

(please avoid calling to book visiting slots over the weekend when there is reduced admin and clerical staff to take calls)

Visiting for general wards and departments will commence at 11am, break for meal times and finish at 20:00pm. Specialist areas may have different times, and staff will advise when you call to book your visiting slot. 

Once a slot has been allocated a visiting code will be given and symptom checker carried out. You will be required to leave your details in case we need to contact you about your visit. Please do not share you visitors access code, it is only valid for one encounter.

Individuals must wear a face covering and sanitize their hands upon entry and exit to the hospital and wards. They must also maintain social distancing whilst walking around the hospital buidling. Individuals medically exempt from wearing a face covering, will be politely asked to wear a visor if possible. 

THE TRUST WILL REMAIN AT STEP 2 (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MATERNITY ON STEP 3). THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO VISITING RULES.

Visiting will be determined by department/ward and implemented in 3 steps. Step 1 will commence 12th April, step 2 will commence 17th May. Each step may need to be reviewed and amended in response to community and hospital infection rates, and we will ensure we communicate any changes with you promptly.

• General wards
• Paediatric wards
• Maternity department 
• Emergency department
• ITU

Below is some general practical advice and support for individuals visiting and accompanying patients at DGT:

• Transport – Arrange to drive yourself, or be driven to and from the hospital by a member of your household or bubble, if possible, to minimise the risk of exposure to others. Hospital parking is limited but available.
• Personal belongings - Bring as few personal belongings as possible with you, e.g. bags, handbags, electronic devices, gifts and only non-perishable food for the patient. Take the opportunity to take any valuables your loved one may have home for safe keeping.
• Face coverings – Face coverings or masks must be worn on entry to the hospital buildings and within the hospital and departments. If you are wearing your own cloth type face covering you must change to a hospital face mask on arrival to the ward or department, theses will be provided. If you are wearing a hospital type face mask on entry to the hospital you can keep this one on for the duration of your visit. Those who are medically exempt from wearing a face covering/mask, will only be permitted to visit on compassionate grounds for end of life visiting, and must wear a plastic visor and adhere to strict social distancing.
• Gloves - Please do not wear plastic/surgical gloves, if you are wearing gloves you will be asked to remove them. Gloves can easily cross contaminate and hand hygiene is a much more effective method. There are hand gel stations available throughout your journey through the hospital, and at entry and exit points of wards and departments.
• COVID Vaccination and testing – You need to continue to follow all the same precautions to prevent the spread of COVID even when you have been vaccinated. Although you might not get sick you could still spread it to others. We are unable to accept any community testing results as we cannot validate them.

What to do on arrival – Please report to the DGT main entrance wearing your face covering, or if exempt a visor. Hand sanitiser is available at the entrance and we advise you to use this. The team will direct you to the ward/department by the shortest possible route. Please ensure you have your one time visitor’s access code or appointment letter at hand.

Social distancing – Where possible maintain a 2 metre/6 foot space at all times

Arriving at the ward or department – sanitise with hand gel or wash your hands with soap and water on entering, staff will support you with any other instructions and guide you to your loved one. We recommend you use the hand gels provided, but if you have your own please ensure it is effective against bacteria AND viruses.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – In addition to wearing a face mask visitors may be required to wear personal protective equipment such as a plastic apron and surgical gloves if assisting with personal care. Staff will guide and support you in this. Going to the toilet and having had a small drink before putting on PPE can help avoid the need to remove it and put it back on during the visit.

Stay with your loved one - Another patient may ask you for help, it may be something simple such as passing something. If you or another patient needs assistance please call for help, or where appropriate ask your loved one, or another patient to press their call bell.

Leaving the hospital - Wash or sanitise your hands on leaving the ward/department and hospital. Only remove your mask once you have left the hospital building. Sanitise your hands following removal of your face mask, and dispose of your face mask appropriately in the bins provided at hospital exit points.

Vulnerable individuals – If you are extremely clinically vulnerable due to a medical condition or you live with someone who is extremely clinically vulnerable due to a medical condition, we recommend you do not visit due to the increased risk of exposure to the virus.

Alternatives to visiting – If you are unable to visit in person, please talk to staff about arranging a virtual video or telephone visit. You can find more information about virtual and telephone visiting, or passing a message to your loved one on the following link

What not to do when visiting someone in hospital

• It's best not to sit on the patient's bed, as this can spread germs. Use the chairs provided.
• Do not put your feet on the patient's bed.
• Do not touch the patient's wounds or any medical equipment they're attached to, such as drips or catheters. This can cause infections.
• Do not use the patients' toilets. Use the hospital's public toilets.
• Do not share a patient's toiletries, tissues or hospital equipment with other patients or leave them in communal areas.

Compassionate Care Team

We continue to offer contact with relatives and loved ones through email, telephone calls and virtual visits through our Compassionate Care Team. If you would like to contact a relative using the services of the Compassionate Care Team, please e-mail dgn-tr.compassionatecareteam@nhs.net

To find out more click here.