Visiting information

Last updated: Monday 30 September 2024

At Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals we recognise the importance of connecting with our loved ones whilst in our care.

We ask for visiting times to be observed between 1pm to 7.30pm* seven days a week. If you are unable to visit the hospital during these times, please do speak to the ward team who will support you with alternative arrangements as appropriate. Please check with the ward if special arrangements need to be made.

Two visitors can visit a patient at any one time, this includes children aged 0-17 years. These do not need to be the same visitors each time. Additional visitors can be accommodated by contacting the ward team prior to arrival.

Relatives and carers of patients receiving end of life care, patients with a mental health condition, living with dementia or with a learning disability, can visit and support the patient at any time.

During your visit you may be asked to leave the ward for a short period of time if necessary to support effective care and treatment for your loved one.

*Some wards operate different visiting times including Maternity C23, Neonatal Unit, Paediatrics, and Accident and Emergency which are listed on this page.

Please also check the infection prevention information on this page.

Ward contact numbers can be found in 'Our services'.

Ward-specific visiting times

Maternity - Ward C23

One birth partner can visit the ward at any time to support their loved one.

In addition to birth partners, the maternity ward C23 welcomes visitors to attend as follows:

  • Two visitors can visit a patient at any one time, this includes children aged 0-17 years. These of course do not need to be the same visitors each time.
  • Visitors may attend the ward at the following times: 1.30pm to 4.30pm and 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

If you have any queries, please do contact the Maternity Ward C23 on 01925 662258 where a member of staff will support you.

Neonatal Unit

Parents are allowed to visit their babies at any time and have 24-hour access to the unit; this also includes the baby’s siblings.

In addition to parents, the Neonatal Unit welcomes visitors to attend as follows:

  • Two visitors can visit a patient at any one time, but one of the baby’s parents must be present.
  • Visiting children (does not apply to siblings) must be over the age of 16 years.
  • Visitors may attend the ward during 11am to 6pm.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
  • Visiting is permitted during the hours of 1.30pm to 4.30pm and 6pm to 8pm.
  • Two visitors can visit a patient at any one time. These of course do not need to be the same visitors each time. Additional visitors may be accommodated by contacting the ICU Team prior to arrival.
  • Visiting children (aged 0-17 years) are permitted and we ask relatives to decide if they feel it is appropriate to attend.
Emergency Department (Accident and Emergency)
  • Visiting is permitted at any time whilst your loved one is under the care of our Emergency Department (A&E).
  • Two visitors can visit a patient at any one time. These of course do not need to be the same visitors each time.
  • We recommend children (aged 0-17 years) do not visit the Emergency Department unless there are exceptional circumstances
  • For additional visiting requests please contact the Emergency Department Team.

Please note:

  • Advice against visiting will be provided, only when necessary, for example when there are concerns about safety. In these situations visiting may be temporarily suspended. Please call ahead to confirm that the ward you are planning to visit is currently open.
  • Patients being cared for in isolation may need special precautions and staff/visitors may need to wear personal protective equipment. If you are visiting a person being cared for in an isolation room, or you provide hands on care to a patient, you should always wash your hands with soap and water as the hand sanitiser is ineffective against some bacteria. The correct hand washing technique is displayed on all soap dispensers.
  • Please check with the ward manager that it is safe for children to visit. It is important to note that although children are welcome to visit they must be supervised at all times. Babies and young children are more susceptible to contracting and transmitting infections.

Preventing the spread of infection on the wards

  • If you are unwell with any of the following illnesses you should postpone your visit until at least 48 hours after your symptoms have settled and/or you are no longer infectious and let the ward manager or person in charge know:
    • diarrhoea and/or vomiting
    • influenza or COVID-19 symptoms
    • contact with someone who currently has COVID-19
    • contact with someone with an infectious disease e.g, measles, chickenpox, whooping cough
  • Cover any open wounds with a clean, waterproof dressing to protect yourself from infection.
  • Use the chairs provided to sit on rather than sitting on the patients’ bed.
  • Do not touch a patient’s wounds, drips, or devices as this could contribute to infection risk.
  • Use toilet facilities on the main corridors and not those on the wards.
  • Do not bring unnecessary items into hospital for your relative/friend. All personal belongings should be stored in the bedside locker help to maintain high standards of cleaning of bedside tables.
  • If you would like to bring in food from home, please check with the ward manager or person in charge. Ward staff cannot re-heat food brought in from home. Food can only be stored in a refrigerator for 24 hours and will then be disposed of regardless of the use by or 'best before' date.

For more information visit Infection Prevention and Control.