Please do not bring anyone into the hospital with you for your outpatient appointment unless you’ve agreed this with your hospital department.
You are welcome to have a relative or friend join you in your appointment virtually, by phone or video. Please use your device (phone or tablet) to do this at the start of your appointment.
Changes we are putting in place from Friday 6th November
The number of Covid19 cases in the Kingston area is growing fast and to keep patients, visitors and staff safe we need to further limit visits to adult inpatient wards.
We are committed to continuing visiting where it is safe for patients, visitors and staff. Visiting on compassionate grounds is available across the hospital’s adult inpatient wards. Please phone the ward and ask to speak to the nurse in charge about this.
If you are phoning to ask for an update on your family member in Kingston Hospital please do so after 12.30 to allow the medical teams time to review patients in the morning and provide you with good quality, up to date information.
Please do keep in touch with your relative or friend in hospital by phone or video calls and if you need help to organise this, please contact the ward and read about how we are able to facilitate virtual video calls and phone calls using the link below.
Compassionate visiting
Visiting on compassionate grounds is available across the hospital’s adult inpatient wards.
Visitors will be asked about possible COVID 19 symptoms, required to sanitise their hands and wear a mask and other PPE to meet infection control requirements.
Compassionate visits can be allowed in the following circumstances:
Visitors will be asked about possible COVID-19 symptoms, required to sanitise their hands and wear a mask and other PPE to meet infection control requirements.
One parent or carer is allowed at a time. Unfortunately, siblings are unable to visit at the moment.
Only the person needing care and treatment is allowed in our Emergency (A&E) Department. Exceptions will be made for people with an essential carer, advocate, or on other compassionate grounds.
Partners are welcome during women’s maternity care at Kingston Hospital. Women are encouraged to nominate a birth partner that will support them during their antenatal care, labour and birth. Unfortunately siblings are currently unable to visit. Find more information about changes to our maternity services here.
Kingston Hospital is a smokefree site. This means smoking is not permitted anywhere in our hospital buildings, car parks and grounds. This includes all tobacco products, e-cigarettes and vaping devices.
There is a cashpoint located at the main entrance of the hospital which is now the exit. A one way system is currently in place at the hospital so you will need to enter the hospital via main outpatients.
We understand that you will be missing your loved ones at this time, but please work with us to help us keep our staff and patients safe. Thank you for following our visiting guidelines. Our message to a loved one service is available for relatives or close friends to send messages to patients at Kingston Hospital.
Children under 16 on our inpatient wards – one visitor allowed at a time. No siblings are allowed to visit.
Maternity – one birth partner for labour and delivery only, swapping is not permitted. No siblings are allowed to visit. Find more information about changes to our maternity services here.
Using mobile phones and tables to stay in touch
Please ensure your relative in hospital has their mobile phone / tablet and charger with them. There is free WIFI on all of our wards.
If you want to get phone or tablet to a relative – please phone the PALS office on 020 8934 3993 and they will agree a time when you can drop it off at the hospital and give you instructions on how to do this. You must not take the phone to the ward.
People without mobile phones and ipads – If your relative is on Kennet, Blyth, Derwent or Isabella we can arrange a time for you to speak to your relative via phone, FaceTime (if you have an apple device) or Zoom (app that you must download on your device). Please call the ward to arrange this.
If your relative is on Hamble, ITU or Alex (ITU) we want to offer relatives the opportunity to be with their family member via a video link if this is possible – and we can arrange for a member of our pastoral and spiritual support team to be alongside you on the video call if you want this. We are currently offering this on Hamble Ward. Please phone the ward to have a discussion about this. This is not currently available on AAU, Alex (ITU) or ITU but we aim to have available by on these wards by Wednesday 15 April.
Please do not go to the hospital ward to drop off belongings. This is to keep you safe and limit the spread of Covid 19.
Drop off is now done at the main reception. The bag must be labelled with the patient name, ward etc. They will agree a time between 9am and 3pm when you can bring personal belongings to the hospital and give you instructions on how to do this.
Hospital wards (excluding ITU, ITU Alex and Hamble)
Items to send:
Many people want to bring food for their relative in hospital and we understand why this is important. Please only send small items of food that do not need to go in the fridge.
ITU, ITU Alex and Hamble
Please do not send a change of clothes unless a member of staff has asked you to send in these. Please do not send in food.
Items to send:
Getting ready for discharge
Even at the beginning of your hospital stay, it’s good to plan ahead so that you can get home as soon as you are well enough. We’ve produced an animated film in collaboration with patients, staff and students to provide you with information about what you can do to help you leave hospital sooner. You can watch the short film by clicking on the link below:
Animation 1:
Animation 2:
We know that coming to hospital can be a worrying time for many people. At Kingston Hospital we do our best to make sure your stay is as stress free as possible and to ensure you get the best care we can give. To help you prepare for your stay as an inpatient at Kingston Hospital we have put together some useful information.
Please click here to download a leaflet that provides you with detailed information about what to expect on the day of your operation. The leaflet includes information on the following:
If it is your child that is having an operation, please click here for helpful information about your child’s anaesthetic. You will find information about your child’s anaesthetic for both general procedures and dental treatment, as well as some leaflets specially designed for children and young people of different ages who are having an anaesthetic
