It is important that people admitted to hospital have regular contact with family and friends. We want to support these
important emotional and social connections but we also need to reduce any risks to inpatients and keep them safe while under our care. So read through the information below so that you are aware of items that are not permitted and the steps to take to keep everyone safe:
- Visiting times are publicised on the service/ward webpage. You can find the contact details for our sites here
- If you cannot visit during these hours or are having to undertake a long journey, speak to the ward manager/shift lead to see if we can make special arrangements for you to visit.
- If you wish to bring a child to visit their parent/realtive on a ward, please discuss this with the ward in advance so that we can plan appropriately. We have special family visiting areas at our main sites.
- Please follow all staff instructions to ensure your safety on our wards.
Your Health
- If you feel unwell or have even mild symptoms of ill-health on the day of your visit, PLEASE DO NOT VISIT THE WARD (We have vulnerable people on our units whose health could be compromised by infection.)
- Please use the hand gel dispensers provided on arrival.
Gifts and Items
Patients will appreciate small gifts, treats and items that they can use when in hospital. Such as:
- Magazines
- Books
- Healthy snacks
- Fruit
- Toiletries such as shower gel, shampoo, shaving foam, deodorant, skin creams, etc.
Speak to the individual or staff about these items when you are planning your visit. There may be something specific the person needs.
But mostly the person you are visiting will appreciate a conversation with you and news from the outside world.
Prohibited Items
Because we have to ensure our wards are safe and healthy, there are a number of items that you cannot bring. These include:
- Flowers or plants
- No plastic bags of any kind. But paper or fabric bags, boxes and plastic containers are fine
- Cigarettes and lighters (We supply nicotine replacement patches) eCigarettes are permitted but not vapes.
- Glass containers
- Sharp items such as scissors, files or knives
- Alcohol
- Illegal drugs
- Belts, flexes, cables, etc.
If you are not sure, just ask a member of staff
Security Measures
Our Forensic Units (at the John Howard Centre and Wolfson House) have special rules about items that are allowed into visiting areas. You will be advised of the steps to take on arrival but items such as mobile phones, cameras and lighters will need to be stowed away in the lockers available in the Reception area.
Visits by Children
It is important for children and their parents to stay in contact and be assured each other are OK. Children can visit by arrangement with the ward manager. We have specially designed family visiting rooms at most of our sites to provide the right environment for families to spend time together.
Disabled Access
All our sites are wheelchair accessible with handrails for people with impaired mobility. Assistance dogs are welcomed to ensure that people with disabilities have the support they need while visiting our sites. Disabled Parking spaces are available at all our main sites. There are parking spaces for disabled people at all our sites.
Pets
No pets are permitted. You can bring pets to outside spaces for the patient to have contact with outside our unit.
As mentioned, Guide dogs and sensory/disability/assistance dogs are allowed. Please contact the ward manager in advance to arrange visits.
Improving Health and Wellbeing
Please help us to improve the health of the people in our care. Avoid bringing drinks or food that have a high sugar content such as juice, fizzy drinks, sweets and chocolate.
Foods that are high in fat such as deep-fried food, pizza or other takeaway meals should be limited to just 1-2 times a week.
These foodstuffs are fine in small amounts. But we all need to look after our health and work to reduce the risk of obesity and health issues that come from being overweight. We want the patients in our care to become healthier during their time with us, so please help them to reach their optimum health.
No Smoking
All Trust sites are smoke-free. That means that smoking is not permitted in car parks, on the grounds or in secluded corners of our sites. As well as being an expensive activity, the health risks of smoking are widely known.
We will provide Nicotine Replacement Therapy to anyone admitted to our wards. This could be the start of someone actually quitting and saving hundreds of pounds a year. You will be challenged if you smoke on ELFT premises.
E-Cigarettes
E-cigarettes are allowed in single bedrooms and hospital grounds. But not allowed in day areas, communal areas, clinical areas, ward gardens or during group or individual therapy.
WiFi
All our wards and many waiting rooms in our centres have Guest WiFi. Ask a member of staff for the password.
Parking
There is very limited parking on ELFT's London sites but paid parking in the local streets. All our sites are on public transport networks.
In Bedfordshire and Luton, where there are fewer transport networks, there is paid parking and street parking around most of our sites.
Telephone and Video-Conference Virtual Visits
Don't forget, you can stay in contact with the individual by phone or with a video call using a tablet or laptop computer to stay in contact. We have all got more used to using technology since the pandemic.
After Discharge
Your friend or relative will value your support even more in the early days after being discharged from the ward. So stay in contact or pop in to see how they are doing. It can feel strange being home for the first few days so any help or contact will be greatly appreciated. Even if you don't have time for a chat, a friendly text or voice-note can make someone feel less lonely as they know that they are in your thoughts.
Invite them to meet with you somewhere local or travel together to support them in getting out of the house for a while.
