We have lifted some of the visiting restrictions put in place at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All adult inpatients are now permitted two visitors per day, with separate arrangements in place for specific wards and departments, as set out in detail below.

Our visiting policy is under regular review, and we would like to thank everyone for their patience. We will relax visiting restrictions further as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

We would like all visitors to continue to take steps to help us reduce the risk of infection spreading. See the attending our hospitals page for more details.

Who can visit?

Inpatient wards

Adult inpatients will be allowed to have two visitors per day. Ward staff will work with relatives to ensure visits are staggered, to keep the number of extra people on the ward to a minimum.

Visiting will be from 2pm to 8pm each day, including at weekends, although wards may need to introduce different visiting hours from time to time. Please check with the ward manager if you are unsure of the visiting arrangements for the ward on which your friend or relative is being treated.

Pregnant people and birthing partners

Two birth partners can be with you throughout your labour and can be present when you are receiving one-to-one care from a midwife in a labour room and during inductions of labour, elective cases, or High Dependency Unit care.

On the postnatal and antenatal wards, one support person is welcome for the duration of your stay. You will not be able to swap this person and they should stay at bedsides as much as possible during their visit.

You will be able to attend hospital-based antenatal clinics (Windsor walk, Venetian building, Community Midwives Centre, Midwives House, Orpington Hospital, Beckenham Beacon and Queen Mary’s – Sidcup) with one other person.

In the Neonatal Unit, you and your baby are treated as one, which means the other parent of the baby can visit at any time.

See our maternity services during coronavirus section for more information.

Children’s wards

Both parents are permitted to visit children who are inpatients on our paediatric wards.

Critical care

Please speak to the critical care team in advance before agreeing how many visitors are permitted, and when the visits can take place. All visitors will need to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and this will be provided by the critical care team. Our teams will also ensure you wear PPE correctly, and be on hand to answer any questions you may have.  

End of life care patients

Patients nearing the end of their lives can have up to four visitors where this can happen safely. However, please speak to the ward manager in advance before agreeing how many visitors are permitted, and when the visits can take place. We will do our very best to accommodate your wishes.

All visitors will need to wear PPE, and this will be provided by the ward team.

Patients with disabilities or specific care needs

Patients with specific care needs, including dementia, learning disabilities or mental health needs, will be permitted visitors for extended periods, but please agree this with the relevant ward leader, matron or head of nursing for the area in which they are being cared for.

The same applies to patients in distress, or who are deteriorating due to isolation from visitors. However, as above, please agree this with the ward leader, matron or head of nursing for the area in which they are being cared for.

If you cannot visit

You may wish to use phone, email, Skype, FaceTime or WhatsApp to keep in touch with relatives or friends in the hospital.

The PRUH provides a Letters to Loved Ones email service.

All patients at PRUH have access to free patient Wi-Fi and through this, patients are able to access a range of TV, radio and other entertainment options.

Request a Skype video call

We have introduced iPads on our wards at the PRUH, to help patients stay in touch with their loved ones by video. This is an alternative to visiting in person, and is important in helping patients maintain good mental health.

Each ward has an iPad or tablet set up with a Skype account. If you would like to video call your loved one using the ward Skype account, please phone the ward to arrange this. This is to help manage demand and to set aside time for you to talk to your loved one.

To use Skype, you will need a working internet connection and a Skype account already set up. The Skype website has details of how to set up a Skype account.

Thank you again for your co-operation and support. We will keep the current visiting arrangements under review, and make further changes if we feel they are needed.