Although COVID -19 restrictions across the country have been lifted, inside the hospital we are still following measures to protect our most vulnerable. Alongside other healthcare settings across the country, our advice to the pubic remains unchanged.
Our current visiting protocol is:
All adult inpatients can have a visit from the day of admission (Darent Valley Hospital only)
Twonamed/nominated visitors per patient
One daily prebooked visit of two hours
These 2 hours can be split into two 1 hour slots, so that both named visitors could visit daily if they wish (1 hour each), or one named visitor could visit twice (am 1hr/pm 1hr). Alternatively, one named visitor could visit for an extended visiting slot of 2 hours.
All visiting must be booked with the ward/department. We recommend calling between 11am - 4pm Monday to Friday.
Upon booking, you will be given access code to show to security and staff will complete a symptom checker with you.
We ask that you continue to wear a face covering, unless exempt, where we ask that you wear a visor (which is available on request)
We encourage you to regularly clean your hands when moving around the hospital and physically distance where possible.
Where possible, we encourage you to take a lateral flow test within 24 hours before each visit.
To reduce contact, where possible we recommend that visitors please consider the number of visits or if you need a face-to-face visit or could use telephone or video ‘Virtual visiting'.
Please note: A pragmatic, flexible approach to visiting will continue to be taken for our most vulnerable patients and their carer.
The greatest protection is vaccination, and we want to urge everyone to keep themselves and their families, friends, our staff and hospital safe by supporting the vaccination programme and get fully vaccinated with 2 doses and a booster. We have seen the value of vaccination and know that in the patients who have received the first and second doses of vaccine the admission rates to hospital are much lower, as is the number of patients who then go one to need intensive care. Find more information about the Vaccine, or where you can get one here: Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
We ask you please continue to support us, your adherence to our recommendations and guidance will really make all the difference. Please note that we are continually reviewing our visiting guidance alongside government advice and local and internal infection rate and visiting guidance may change at short notice.
Finding Darent Valley Hospital
Contact Details
Our main switchboard uses an automated system. If you do not know which department or the number to ask for, one of our operators will be happy to help you.
Address: Darent Valley Hospital, Darenth Wood Road, Dartford, Kent DA2 8DA Switchboard: 01322 428100 Email: dgn-tr.enquiries@nhs.net
Click here to view Darent Valley Hospital site map.
Visitor & Outpatient Lateral Flow Self-Testing from Monday 20th December
We need your support in keeping our patients safe and encourage you to complete a lateral flow test at home before your appointment or visit, where possible.
There are always other bugs and illnesses circulating in the local community, so we would also remind anyone planning to visit not to come to the hospital if they have any symptoms of COVID-19, colds, coughs, sore throats, diarrhea or vomiting. If visiting inpatients, we will continue to ask you to pre-book your visiting appointment and to complete a self-declaration screening tool to confirm you are symptom-free and if you have taken a lateral flow test.
We encourage you to wear a mask, clean your hands regularly and physically distance as much as possible. We thank you for supporting us with this request.
Main Entrance
Our volunteers will welcome you at the hospital front doors again, greeting and directing patients and visitors.
Our security team have stepped back to the internal doors leading onto the main corridor 'Hospital Street'. Access is gained as per our current guidance (visitor code or appointment letter).
Our Security teams continue to support the Empress and ED entrances and follow current access guidance.
We ask that you please continue to wear a face covering, clean hands upon entry and maintain physical distancing where possible within our main foyer, shops and facilities.
Face masks, visors and hand gel remain available at the front doors as well as with security at the rear of the foyer, please ask if you need one.
Please note, there will be no access for patients or the public to the staircase within the main foyer.
Virtual Visiting
We understand how important visiting is for our patients and their family and friends. Whilst we are able to continue hospital visiting for 1 named visitor, to help us keep our most vulnerable safe, and give extended family and friends an opportunity to ‘visit’ we recommend ‘virtual visiting’.
Our ward teams and carers are supporting telephone and video ‘virtual visiting’. Friends and family can speak to their loved ones either via the telephone or Zoom video. In order to use Zoom video calling, you will need to have the Zoom app installed on your devise.
How do I request a virtual visit for my loved one?
To request a Video or Telephone visit please speak with the ward team directly, with the following information:
Email and telephone numbers of those wishing to participate in the call
The patient's name
The patient's date of birth
The ward that the patient in on
The preferred time and date to talk
Alternatively you can email dgn-tr.compassionatecareteam@nhs.net or call Monday to Friday between 11am and 3pm on 01322 424827, with the patient information detailed above.
What happens once I have made a request for a virtual visit?
Once a request is received, the team will discuss with the ward to ensure that the patient is fit and able to participate, and gain the patient’s consent. They will then contact the friends or family to determine when the conversation can take place. We aim to contact you within 24hours of your request, although this may take longer during periods of high demand for the service. Please note the request service is not manned during the weekends or bank holidays. If you require an urgent virtual visit out of working hours, please contact the ward nurse in charge directly.
Once a time and date has been agreed, a team member will call the family or friends approximately 10 minutes before the meeting to ensure everyone is at home and knows when to expect.
Once the team open the meeting, the person at home will receive a message that the meeting is open. They then enter the meeting ID and Password (which will have been provided previously) at which time their image will appear on the screen at the hospital end and those at home should be able to see both the patient and all others in the Zoom meeting. Friends and family will then be able to have a multi-person chat with the patient and everyone else logged on.
A member of the team will be with the patient throughout the process to assist where necessary.
Compassionate Visiting
Visiting for vulnerable patients and their carer’s, will be more flexible and assessed on a case by case basis, such as patients with a learning disability, mental health disability, additional needs or where a visitor or carer not being present would cause the patient to be distressed. The same approach will be taken for patients that may require assistance with activities of daily living or communication due to language barriers.
Outpatients
We have made some changes to our main outpatient department booking in process. Don’t worry, you will be greeted by a member of the Outpatients team in the hospital main reception who will guide you where you need to go. If you cant find a member of the team, please proceed to the main reception desk, on the left as you enter the main foyer. Please be advised our main foyer can be a bit chilly so bring appropriate clothing.
Changes to Outpatient Clinics at Darent Valley Hospital
If you are attending a Main Outpatient Clinic appointment at Darent Valley Hospital, please report to the main hospital reception. There will be a member of the Outpatient staff available at the desk to help direct you to the correct area.
Fracture Clinic Patients - Once checked in at reception, fracture clinic patients will be seated in the main hospital foyer waiting area and will be called by name for their appointment by one of our outpatient nurses. Please be aware it can be cold in this waiting area, so do wear something warm.
All other Outpatient patients will be directed to the appropriate coloured zone in the Outpatient department by a member of staff.
Outpatients attending Poplar, Gynaecology, Empress, Pine, X-rays and scans/baby scans, please report to these departments at their usual location. Our volunteers and staff in the main reception will be happy to direct you.
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 from a carer or with communication or mobility difficulties 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.
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 these HERE.
Attending A&E
Patients attending our Emergency Department can be accompanied by a maximum of one person/carer if they choose to (commencing Monday 21st March).
Regretfully, we are unable to accommodate the accompanying person in our Urgent Treatment Centre due to space limitations in the waiting area and the nature of the department.
We ask that you continue to wear a face mask, unless exempt, where we ask that you wear a visor (which is available on request)
Please do not request access to the hospital if you are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, unless for emergency treatment.
Paediatric A&E
Children who are acutely unwell, in Resus, or have complex medical needs will be able to be accompanied by both parents/guardians, once admitted into a cubicle or Resus room.
Where the parent/guardian requires emotional support or support with difficult decisions about the care of the child, both parents can be present whilst in the cubicle.
If the child is admitted to hospital, we are pleased to be able to facilitate both parents/guardians being present throughout the daytime and for your child’s Drs round. We ask that only 1 parent/guardian stays overnight.
Due to space limitations within our waiting areas, we are only able to facilitate 1 parent/guardian accompanying the child. Parents/guardians can swap over whilst in the waiting areas to provide rest bite.
We do rotate our cubicles and treatment areas, and in circumstances where the child is well but awaiting results, we may ask you to return to the waiting area from your cubicle. If both parents/guardians are present, only 1 person can remain with the child in the waiting area.
Below is some general practical advice and support for individuals visiting and accompanying patients at DGT:
Transport (travelling to and from the hospital) – Where possible, arrange to drive yourself, or be driven to and from the hospital by a member of your household or bubble, to minimise the risk of exposure to others. When travelling by public transport or taxis, we advise you to wear a face covering, physically distance where possible and clean your hands regularly, especially after touching 'high contact touch points' such as door handles/rails, stop buttons and seats/chairs.
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 – We ask that you wear face coverings 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 be asked to wear a visor where possible. These are available in the main reception.
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. We encourage you to carry out a rapid Covid test (lateral flow test) before you visit the hospital.
Social distancing – Where possible maintain a 2 metre/6 foot space physical distance.
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.
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.
The hospital opened in September 2000, has approximately 463 inpatient beds, serves a growing population of around 500,000 and specialties that include day-care surgery, general surgery, trauma, orthopaedics, cardiology, maternity and general medicine. The hospital provide patients with the latest technology for their treatment in safe, comfortable and clean surroundings.
Car parking spaces at Darent Valley Hospital are limited. To avoid waiting for a space to become available, we recommend that you consider visiting the hospital via public transport or taxi whenever possible. Drop off areas are available at the front of the hospital if someone is able to bring you in.
Darent Valley Hospital is located close to Bluewater shopping centre, the Fastrack bus service to Dartford and Gravesend, and 10 minutes from Ebbsfleet International.
The buses that stop in the hospital grounds are as follows:
Route 96 runs between Woolwich and Bluewater shopping centre via Plumstead, Welling, Bexleyheath, Crayford and Dartford. Between Dartford, East Hill and Bluewater, buses will run via Park Road, Princes Road, the Fastrack system, Darent Valley Hospital (serving the bus stops near the hospital entrance) and then back on to the Fastrack system.
Fastrack ‘B’, running from Temple Hill to Gravesend - for more details (including bus times) please see Fastrack.
422 from East Hill to Gravesend. For times visit 422 bus route (Thursdays only)
423, running from Swanley to New Ash Green, via Dartford; For information and bus times visit 423.
428, running from Erith to Bluewater, via Dartford; For times visit 428.
429, running from Swanley to Bluewater, via Joyden's Wood, Keyton Cross, Wilmington and Dartford (NB The 429 only stops at the hospital on Sundays. This service is operated by Go-Coach - see www.go-coach.co.uk)
433, running from New Ash Green to Bluewater;
477, running from Orpington to Bluewater via Swanley and Dartford; For information and bus times, visit 477.
228, running from Tonbridge Station to Bluewater via Shipbourne, Ightham, Borough Green, Wrotham, West Kingsdown, Farningham, Sutton at Hone, and Darenth (N.B. The 228 only operates on Tuesdays in school term time. This service is operated by Red Route Buses Ltd – see www.redroutebuses.co.uk).
Cycle racks are available outside the main hospital entrance and the front of the Philip Farrant Education Centre.
Resturant
The restaurant is located on Level 1, open 7 days a week, at the following times:
Monday - Friday: 07.15 – 19.15 (supper served from 16.30 – 18.00)
Saturday - Sunday: 08.00 – 17.00 (light snacks available from 15.00 – 16.30)
There is a call order menu available all day.
Shops
In the hospital main entrance there are the following commercial premises:
Shop details
Opening times
WH Smiths, newsagent
8am to 8pm Mon-Fri
9am to 7.30pm Saturday
9am to 7.00pm Sunday
Chopra's pharmacy
01322 227240
9am to 5.30pm Mon-Fri
10am to 3pm Saturday
Closed Sunday
Ellenor Lions Hospice Special Treats Shop
9.15am to 8.15pm Mon-Fri
1pm to 8.15pm Sat-Sun
M&S Simply Food
7am - 9pm Weekdays
8am - 8pm Weekends
Costa Coffee - coffee and sandwich bar
6.30am to 7pm Mon – Fri
8.30am to 5pm Sat-Sun
(please note these may be subject to change)
Also available are: public wheelchairs (£1 returnable deposit), a public telephone, a Royal Mail postbox, a cash machine and an Hospedia TV/phone card vending machine.
Parking spaces at the hospital are limited. To avoid waiting for a space to become available, we recommend that you consider visiting the hospital via public transport or taxi whenever possible.
Fees - 0-1 hour = £1.50, 1-2 hours = £2.50, 2-3 hours = £3, 3-4 hours = £4 4-6 hours = £8, 6-24 hours = £10, weekly £32. Collect ticket at entry barrier and keep with you. Before leaving take ticket to payment machine located near the main entrance.
Minimum tariff applies for blue badge holders.
From the M25 northbound you must exit at junction 2 (Darenth Interchange) and follow the signs to Dartford, take the A225 (Princes Road) towards Gravesend (Bluewater/Bean). There is no exit from the M25 at junction 1b unless travelling southbound. Go straight over the roundabout onto B2200 (Watling Street) signposted Bluewater/Bean. At the next roundabout take the third exit onto Darenth Wood Road. On site car parking and disabled parking is available. You can plan the best route for you using the AA route planner.
The nearest train station is Dartford. All the buses services listed stop at either the station or Holmes Garden - just a short walk from the station. Taxis are available from Dartford Train Station and for return jouneys payphones in the hospital foyer have a button that links free to a local taxi firm. Greenhithe station is nearby and a Fastrack bus service is available. For further rail information contact National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950 or visit their website at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk.
Darent Valley Hospital is a SMOKE / VAPE FREE site. Smoking and vaping is not permitted anywhere on the hospital grounds.
If a patient wishes to leave a clinical area to smoke
If a patient wishes to smoke but needs to be accompanied, they will be advised that staff are unable to accompany them offsite to smoke.
For free support and advice on how to quit smoking call: 0300 123 1220; Text QUIT to 87023 or visit www.oneyoukent.org.uk.