Visitors are welcome in Barnsley Hospital – only in rare circumstances will visiting not be permitted.
We recognise the contribution visiting makes to the wellbeing and the person-centred care of patients, and welcome visitors. We regularly review our visiting guidance so please check this website for the latest information.
We ask everyone to wear a face mask at all times in clinical areas during their visit, and to regularly use our hand hygiene stations.
Please expect staff and volunteers to ask you to wear a mask if they see you without one. Some charities have provided lanyards to those who are exempt from wearing face coverings. We do not ask children under the age of 11 to wear face coverings.
We no longer ask visitors to take a lateral flow test before attending, but we do ask that anyone feeling unwell, even if they have tested negative for Covid-19 and are fully vaccinated and have received their booster, should not visit. This is to protect our vulnerable patients, and visitors may be asked to leave if they are displaying any symptoms.
General inpatient visiting
We have returned to our visiting procedures which were in place before the Covid-19 pandemic, however we are now asking you to wear masks and face coverings in all areas around the hospital. Extra precautions could include temporarily suspending visiting to a particular ward or area.
Visitors should contact the ward to confirm visiting times. Visiting is available throughout the day and no longer limited to set times, though we may need to limit numbers of visitors if we feel there could be a risk to patients.
We ask that only two people visit any bed space at one time, and we ask anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 to not visit.
We can now accept visitors for Covid-19 positive patients and for patients who are still awaiting Covid-19 test results.
Visiting for patients receiving end of life care
Open visiting is available.
Long-stay, complex patients and those with dementia, a learning disability and or autism
Open visiting is available.
Emergency department
Visitors are not permitted in the Emergency Department, but patients may be accompanied by a carer as required and you will be asked to wear a mask or face covering.
Outpatient and diagnostic appointments
In order to reduce footfall though the hospital, anyone attending an outpatient or diagnostic appointment is asked to do so alone, unless they need to be accompanied by a carer.
To arrange a visit please contact the appropriate ward directly.
- Visitors will be required to adhere to PPE requirements and must wear a face mask on arrival to the hospital and throughout their visit.
- Visitors will be asked a number of screening questions before their visit.
For information on maternity please check the maternity services page.
The position on visiting will be under continuous review and will be subject to change at any time, to keep yourself up to date keep in touch with the hospital website
Tips for visitors
- Please do not visit the hospital if you are unwell
- Arrive in good time for your arranged visiting time
- Check with the ward staff before bringing or sending gifts to a patient (flowers are not permitted)
- Wear a mask or face covering at all times when inside the hospital
- Wear short sleeved clothing if you can for your visit – it makes it easier to keep your hands clean during your visit
- Take off your coat/jacket before entering the ward
- Use the hand hygiene gels provided in each ward and at every patient bedside every time you enter and leave the ward
- Wash your hands after visiting the toilet
- Use the chair provided by the bed – do not sit on a patient’s bed
Virtual visiting
We continue to offer “Virtual visiting” for all inpatients who would like it. This means regular phone calls or Whatsapp video calling with help from staff and volunteers. Talk to the ward nursing team or visit our website for more information. All inpatients are encouraged to keep in touch with friends and relatives using their own phone.
Nobody with Coronavirus symptoms should come to the hospital for an appointment, or to visit or accompany someone else. You must also not visit the hospital if you are Covid positive, self-isolating, shielding, or unwell.
How to stay updated about a patient’s care at the hospital
Proactive communication about a patient’s care usually takes place face-to-face with a patient’s family or carers during visits. This has not always been possible during the Covid pandemic, so we currently provide this communication over the phone.
On admission to the ward, the nurse caring for the patient will record who will be their nominated point of contact. This person will receive telephone calls from the ward about the patient’s care.
The ward will always try to discuss discharge planning arrangements with the nominated point of contact so long as the patient agrees this is OK.