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Chelsea and Westminster Hospital visiting restrictions

14 February 2014

We recognise that visitors are important to our patients’ wellbeing, but at this time the risk of visitors spreading norovirus (diarrhoea and vomiting/D&V), colds and flu is so high that we need to restrict visiting to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.

We recognise that visitors are important to our patients’ wellbeing, but at this time the risk of visitors spreading norovirus (diarrhoea and vomiting/D&V), colds and flu is so high that we need to restrict visiting to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.

We ask for your cooperation to ensure that we can deliver safe care.

If you have had D&V in the last 72 hours you should not visit a patient under any circumstances. You may still be infectious.

If you are visiting please clean your hands with soap and water before contact with your relative and before leaving the ward.

  • General wards—limited to two visitors per patient
  • Intensive Care Unit (ICU)/Burns ICU and High Dependency Unit (HDU)—immediate family only
  • Children's Wards and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)—child's parents only
  • Maternity—mother's partner or other named support person only

Some wards may have further restrictions in place—please check with the ward sister or a member of ward staff.

These measures are temporary but will be in effect until further notice to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our patients and visitors.

If you have had D&V in the last 72 hours and need to reschedule your outpatient appointment at the hospital, please contact us on 020 3315 6666 and we will arrange another appointment date with you.

We do not take this decision to restrict visiting lightly—we know it causes upset for the family and friends, and the patients themselves who look forward to seeing their loved ones.

Please be assured that our patients have been informed that visitors have been restricted and there is a phone by every bed so that you can either speak or leave a message for patients.

If you would like to discuss this further, please speak to the nurse in charge by calling our switchboard on 020 3315 8000 and asking for the ward where your relative is being cared for.

Thank you for your cooperation at this difficult time.