For Patients & Visitors

Changes to Trust Covid-19 safety guidance, from 21st July.

Social Distancing:

There is no longer a requirement to socially distance. However, we kindly ask all patients and visitors to continue to respect each other's space.  

Wearing of masks:

We recommend that masks are worn in ALL clinical areas including:

• All wards
• Outpatient Departments
• Urgent Treatment Centre
• Accident & Emergency Department

Masks MUST be worn in the following areas (where it is extremely important to protect patients, visitors and staff):

• Ward 2A
• The Lilac Centre
• ALL wards and departments where patients are being treated for conditions such as cancer, respiratory infections, or where patients have low immunity. Please look out for signage in these areas.

Masks are widely available at all entrances to our hospitals.

Visitors are reminded they must not attend the hospital if they have symptoms or test positive with COVID-19.

All visitors must continue to clean hands regularly.

Thank you for observing our safety measures when attending our hospitals.

• Visiting

  From Monday 14th March, we are pleased to be able to reintroduce limited visiting across our hospitals

  Please note, visiting can be restricted or suspended with immediate effect if there are any safety concerns due to a spread of infection on our wards or in our communities.

  To confirm that the ward you are planning to visit is currently open, please call our main number tel: 0151 426 1600  

  Adult Wards

  • Visiting times: 1.30pm to 4.00pm and 6.00pm to 7.00pm
  • Maximum of two visitors per patient - please note, this must be the same two visitors throughout each session.

  Maternity Unit - please click here for more information

  • Two birth partners may attend Delivery Suite
  • One nominated adult may attend Ward 2E (pre/post-natal ward) between 09.00am to 9.00pm
  • One nominated adult may attend all antenatal appointments and scans in both the hospital or community.

  Ward 2E, Pre and Postnatal Ward

  • Visiting times: 1.30pm to 4.00pm and 6.00pm to 7.00pm. Maximum of two visitors per bedside, including the nominated adult.

  Children’s Wards

  • Maximum of two visitors per patient.

  In addition to general visiting: 

  • Relatives of patients who are in their last hours / days and receiving end of life care, or carers supporting someone with a mental health issue, cognitive impairment such as dementia, a learning disability or autism, where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed, will continue to be supported to visit their loved ones.
• Attending A&E and Outpatients Department

  One adult only may support a patient in A&E, or at an outpatient appointment.

  This is due to limited space in our waiting rooms.

  If you are attending A&E and have tested positive for Covid-19, please inform staff immediately upon arrival. You will be asked to wait in a designated waiting area and must wear an appropriate face mask.

• Virtual Visiting

  If you are unable to visit your loved ones in hospital, we encourage friends and family to utilise virtual visiting and the use of phones/tablets whilst on the wards, unless advised otherwise. If you cannot contact your loved one directly, virtual visiting can be arranged, through Facetime, directly with the wards.

  If you need any further assistance please contact our PALs Team from 09.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday on 0151 430 1376 or via email pals@sthk.nhs.uk.

• Please observe infection prevention and control

  Visitors must not attend the hospital if they have symptoms or test positive with COVID-19.

  Visitors must continue to clean hands regularly

  Thank you for observing our safety measures when attending our hospitals.

• Official Information Sources
  • For a British Sign Language Coronavirus information video please click here
  • For guides on social distancing in different languages please click here
  • For COVID-19 guidance in different languages please click here
  • How to safely wear a face mask: Tips for visually impaired people - click here
  • For COVID-19 Vaccination information in different languages and large print please click here

  If you are concerned about Coronavirus (COVID-19) there is lots of official information online from the NHS and Public Health England. Please refer to the list of official resources below for the latest guidance and advice.

  NHS 111: https://111.nhs.uk/service/covid-19
  NHS website: https://nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19
  Public Health England: gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
  World Health Organisation: who.int/health-topics/coronavirus