Jordan Ellis
Visiting a friend or relative in the hospital can be a stressful experience, especially if there are restrictions in place. In England, hospitals are expected to facilitate visits, but each hospital and ward may have different rules and guidelines. Visitors should always check with the ward or nurses' station before visiting a patient. Most hospitals encourage visitors to bring gifts, but it's important to check what is allowed, as flowers, pillows, blankets, and certain foods may not be permitted. Visitors should also be mindful of the patient's welfare and privacy, and keep noise to a minimum.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of visitors allowed at any one time | Typically no more than 2 |
| Appointment required | No |
| Visitors need to be named | No |
| Children allowed | Yes, with permission from the nurse in charge of the ward |
| Visitors with respiratory symptoms | Not allowed |
| Mobile phones | Allowed, but must be on silent |
| PPE required | Yes, in certain areas |
| Gifts | Allowed, but not flowers or food |
| Parking | Available, but limited and expensive |
| Virtual visiting | Yes |
| Visiting hours | 8 am to 9 pm, seven days a week |
| Areas with limited visiting hours | Intensive Care Units, Birthing Center, Emergency Department |
| Security | Present 24/7 |
| Smoking | Not allowed |
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What You'll Learn
COVID-19 restrictions
During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals in England had to restrict the number of visitors to protect patients and staff and to limit the spread of the virus. NHS England guidance stated that hospital visits were suspended, but there were some exceptions. For example, patients receiving end-of-life care, patients with learning disabilities, mental health patients, and patients with dementia could receive visitors. Hospitals also allowed children to be accompanied by one parent or carer, although this could be suspended if hospitals deemed it necessary.
Some hospitals implemented a three-visitor limit, and visitors were required to wear face masks and follow social distancing and hand hygiene guidelines. Visitors were also screened for COVID-19 symptoms, such as a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change in taste or smell. Those awaiting COVID-19 test results, instructed to isolate, or returning from international travel to countries with a 14-day quarantine period were not permitted to enter.
In ICUs in India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare restricted the number of visitors. Visitors entering COVID-19 patient rooms were required to wear PPE and perform hand hygiene, and their visits were ideally supervised by healthcare workers.
In summary, hospitals in England implemented various visitor restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic to balance patient care, safety, and the prevention of virus spread. These restrictions were adjusted as the pandemic evolved and hospitals aimed to protect both patients and staff.
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End-of-life care
Visitors are generally allowed in hospitals in England, but each NHS Trust has its own set of visitation rules. During the COVID-19 pandemic, NHS England guidance stated that hospital visits were suspended, except for patients receiving end-of-life care.
Palliative Care
Palliative care teams play a crucial role in end-of-life care. These dedicated professionals focus on improving patients' quality of life by managing their physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial worries. Chaplains, for instance, offer spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and visitors during trying times. They are trained to provide pastoral care to people of all faiths and beliefs, maintaining strict confidentiality.
Visitation Rules
Hospitals in England generally allow visitors for patients receiving end-of-life care, recognizing the importance of family and carers in improving patients' well-being and experience. While each hospital may have specific rules, some common guidelines include:
- Visitors may need to book an appointment or contact the ward to confirm visitation rules.
- Only a certain number of visitors (usually two) are allowed at the patient's bedside at any given time.
- Visitors may be required to follow infection control measures, such as wearing face masks and showing a negative COVID-19 test.
- Children under a certain age may require permission from the nurse in charge to visit, except in end-of-life care situations.
Assisted Dying
In June 2025, MPs in England and Wales voted to legalize assisted dying for terminally ill adults. This landmark decision gives terminally ill patients the choice and dignity to decide how and when they die. The law is modeled on Oregon's legislation, allowing those with less than six months to live to seek lethal medication from the National Health Service, subject to the approval of two doctors and a panel of experts.
The legalization of assisted dying highlights the importance placed on end-of-life care in England, ensuring that individuals have control over their final days and can make informed decisions about their care and treatment.
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Mental health patients
Visiting plays a crucial role in maintaining the good health and wellbeing of mental health patients in hospitals. The UK government recognises this and is seeking views on what new rules regarding hospital visits should look like. The government plans to bring forward new legislation to make visiting a legal requirement in hospitals, care homes, and other health and care settings. This will ensure that patients in hospitals and residents in care homes can have visitors in all circumstances.
The new legislation will strengthen the rules around visiting, providing the Care Quality Commission (CQC) with a clearer basis for identifying where hospitals are not meeting the requirements. The CQC already has powers to clamp down on unethical visiting restrictions, but the expected standard of visiting is not specifically outlined in the current regulations. The new legislation will address this issue and make visiting a fundamental standard across CQC-registered settings.
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) has specific visiting times and arrangements that may be different from other hospitals as some of their services are provided within a secure environment. Any visit to a GMMH facility must be arranged with the clinical team at least 24 hours in advance, including agreeing on the time and duration of the visit. Visitors are required to present photographic identification and may have their photograph taken for a visitor's badge. GMMH also has a designated child visiting room, which must be booked in advance to ensure safety and privacy.
NHS England has published national guidance that sets out the minimum expectations for NHS trusts regarding hospital visiting. This guidance recognises that providers need to facilitate visiting in a risk-managed way while prioritising the health, safety, and wellbeing of patients, communities, and staff. As a minimum standard, patients should be allowed visiting for at least one hour per day, preferably longer, with up to two visitors at the bedside. The guidance also includes an expectation that patients can be accompanied where appropriate and necessary to support effective communication and decision-making, as well as to assist with their healthcare, physical, psychological, emotional, religious, or spiritual care needs.
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Child visitation
In England, there are no restrictions on visitation privileges based on race, colour, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. However, there can be restrictions on child visitation. In certain areas of the hospital, such as Intensive Care Units, the Birthing Centre, or the Emergency Department, visiting hours may be limited, and children under the age of 10 must be supervised by an adult at all times. Latex balloons are prohibited in hospitals, but appropriate balloons can be purchased from gift shops. Flowers are also prohibited on certain units, especially Intensive Care Units.
In the context of mental health units, younger siblings have been restricted from visiting their siblings without any justification. This has been described as perpetuating the stigma associated with mental health care.
In some cases, visitation rights have been curtailed due to safeguarding concerns, as in the case of Sally, whose visits with her son were restricted until she could prove their relationship was not 'unnatural'. In another instance, a mother's advocate had to invoke the children's right to respect for family life to restore the mother's three visits per week with her children.
Overall, while there may be certain restrictions on child visitation in hospitals in England, it is recognised that having family, friends, and loved ones close by can be comforting. Hospitals are expected to facilitate visits in a risk-managed way, and individuals should be allowed to keep their phones and/or computers and tablets to facilitate communication when in-person visits are not possible.
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Visitor limits
The number of visitors each patient is allowed is usually restricted, typically to no more than two people at any one time. However, visitors do not have to book an appointment or be named. It might be necessary to stagger the visitors so they come at different times. There can be restrictions on children visiting a patient. Children under the age of 10 must be supervised by an adult at all times.
In certain areas of the hospital, such as Intensive Care Units, the Birthing Center, maternity, or the Emergency Department, visiting hours may be limited. Visitors should always check with the nurses’ station before visiting a patient. Visitors must follow the hospital's policies, including COVID-19 policies and behavioural expectations.
Most hospitals encourage visitors to bring gifts like fruit or books and magazines, but it's important not to clutter the patient's bed area. Flowers are prohibited on certain units, especially Intensive Care Units. Visitors should check with the ward staff before bringing or sending flowers.
Virtual visiting is possible, thanks to the family communications team, who are supported by Life Lines.
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Frequently asked questions
Hospitals in England are now allowing visitors again, but there are still some restrictions in place. Visitors must wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines.
Yes, patients receiving end-of-life care, patients with learning disabilities, mental health patients, and patients with dementia are allowed to have visitors.
Yes, visitors must wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines.
No, COVID-19 patients are not allowed to receive visitors. This is because visitors are likely to be infected with COVID-19 themselves, or are more prone to infection if they visit COVID-19 wards.
Yes, visitors should not come to the hospital if they feel unwell. If they develop flu-like symptoms while at the hospital, they should inform the ward and go home immediately.
