I am the main carer for my sister and she has been taken into hospital. I am confused about the visiting rules as I was not allowed into the emergency department to be with her. Can I visit her on the ward?
Thank you for contacting us, I can understand how concerned you must be. Suffolk Family Carers have dedicated family carer advisers based at all three Suffolk Hospitals – Ipswich, James Paget and West Suffolk. They can also support family carers of those in the smaller community hospitals within Suffolk. These family carer advisers work closely with hospital staff and although West Suffolk and James Paget advisers are not presently on site they can provide support over the telephone, or video call. The Ipswich hospital family carer adviser will be returning on site from 27th April 2022 who can also provide support over the telephone, video call or face to face if appropriate
The family carer adviser can provide support and guidance throughout your sister’s hospital stay as well as through the discharge process. To get in touch with our hospital workers contact our Information HUB.
Each of the hospitals are working slightly differently with regards to their visiting policy, below is a short summary of what is available. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Ipswich Hospital
- If a patient has been in hospital for seven days or more, they may have one visitor to see them for up to one hour a day. Be the same person for each visit. Visitors cannot interchange or substitute one another. Pre-book their visit with ward teams
- Letters to loved ones – Email or leave a voice message for your cared for and the ward will pass this on. For further information go to www.esneft.nhs.uk where there is an easy read guide on how to use this service.
- Most wards have some availability to aid video calls, or telephone calls with patients, speak to the ward for more information.
West Suffolk Hospital
- Most wards are accepting one designated visitor per patient for up to one hour per day. Ring the ward to book a time.
- If visiting, request a Family Carers pack & badge from the ward for info and parking concessions.
- For medical updates on the patient call the Patient Experience Line 01284 713155 and select Option 1 (Clinical Helpline). Available between 10:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 18:00
- To arrange a Zoom call with a patient, send a card or knitted heart, call the Patient Experience Line on 01284 713155 and select Option 2 (Keeping in Touch)
- Updated information about visiting restrictions and the above information can be found on the hospital website: Ward visiting times and contacts (wsh.nhs.uk)
James Paget University Hospital
- Letters to loved ones – please contact the ward or visit www.jpaget.nhs.uk for further information.
- Some wards have some availability to aid video calls, or telephone calls with patients, speak to the ward for more information.
- Updated information about visiting restrictions and current support for family carers can be found on the hospital website: https://www.
jpaget.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/carers-information/
There are exceptions to the visiting policies such as End of Life care, family carers of Dementia and Learning Disability patients and child patients. Please do speak to the ward if you feel your situation is an exceptional circumstance.
Please note that this information is correct at the time of publication
