Visiting GOSH

Since July 2022 we have been able to welcome back friends and family into the hospital, as long as some simple precautions to protect our vulnerable patients from infections are followed.

Under our updated visiting guidelines, parents and carers are able to visit together, and siblings and friends are welcome too. On some wards there may be restrictions on how many people can visit at any one time due to space limitations.

Our guidelines have been created following national guidance from National Health Service England (NHSE) and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).

Some important safeguards for visitors to protect our patients remain and these are:

• No one should visit the hospital if they feel unwell, and anyone who develops respiratory symptoms while at the hospital should inform the ward and go home immediately.
• Nursing staff on the wards need to complete a family assessment on every shift, by asking visitors a few simple questions about how they are feeling.
• For patients and parents coming to GOSH for an outpatient appointment the wearing of face masks is optional. However, fluid resistant surgical masks (FRSM) will continue to be provided at the entrances and on request for all those who wish to wear one.
• Parents/carers whose child is admitted to a communal bay on a ward, are encouraged to wear a FRSM which will continue to be provided at the entrances and on request.
• Parents/carers whose child is admitted to a cubicle do not need to wear a mask whilst in the cubicle.
• The space we have available still limits the number of visitors we can accommodate. A maximum of two parents or carers may attend an outpatient appointment and while two parents or carers can accompany a patient to theatres, we ask that only one parent/carer does so if possible.

Please note that our intensive care units, Mildred Creak Unit and our Clinical Research Facility will confirm visiting guidelines with parents/carers upon admission of the child/young person to the department.

All staff in our hospital are still required to wear a fluid resistant surgical mask in clinical areas. They may choose to wear them in other, non-clinical, areas of the hospital (for example reception or corridors), but in line with NHSE guidance this is optional.

If you have questions or concerns about the updated visiting guideline, please contact your clinical team or the Patient Advice and Liaison Service on telephone number 020 7829 7862.

Page updated on 9 November 2022.