Visitor information

Foresterhill site map (pdf)

This information is designed to help you prepare for a visit to our hospital.  You may also find it useful to refer to the other sections such as General Information. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask a member of staff.

Visiting times

Husbands and partners may visit between 9am to 12 noon, 2pm to 5pm and 6pm to 9pm. Please avoid meal times.

Other people can visit between 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 8pm.

Anyone wishing to visit outside these hours can arrange this beforehand with the midwifery staff.

Visitors are not admitted between 1pm to 2pm as this is a rest hour for mothers.

Only partners may visit you when you are in the induction area of Westburn Ward or Labour Ward. For security reasons visitors are not allowed to wait in the main reception area from 10pm overnight.

Please remember smoking is not permitted in the buildings or the grounds of NHS Grampian.  Smoking is not permitted at the entrance to the hospital.  Please see General Information for more details.

Neonatal Unit

In the Neonatal Unit, baby's parents may visit at any time, and the baby's siblings are welcome. Grandparents may visit between 3pm and 7pm (for approximately 30 minutes at any one time).

Please note: Visiting times are subject to change.

How to be a good visitor

Telephone calls

We appreciate that you will be anxious to learn of your relatives or friends progress by telephone. However, it would save considerable staff time if calls to the ward telephone were limited to immediate members of the family. If possible, one person only should call on behalf of the family. Please note that due to confidentiality, staff can only give out limited information over the phone.

This does not apply to telephoning patients via Hospedia (formerly Patientline^®) where this is available.

The use of mobile phones is not permitted in the hospital. The signals can affect vital medical equipment. Please switch off your mobile phone before you enter the hospital.

Noise

Please try to keep noise levels down as noise disturbs people who are unwell.

Controlling infection - how you can help

Everyone has a role to play in helping prevent the spread of Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI).  NHS staff are doing a great deal, but we can't overcome these problems without the involvement of the public.

• The most important thing is to wash and dry your hands before and after visiting the ward, particularly after going to the toilet. If there is alcohol hand gel provided at the ward door or bedside, use it. It is not there just for staff.
• Do not visit patients if you yourself are unwell, especially if you have diarrhoea or vomiting. Stay home and do not visit (or go to work or school) until you have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.
• Never touch dressings, drips or other equipment around the bed.
• Do not sit on the bed.
• Keep the number of visitors to no more than two at any one time.
• Do not bring food that requires re-heating into hospital.
• Try to avoid bringing in very young children when you visit.
• Please comply with any special precautions and instructions given by members of staff, and ask advice about anything you want to bring in.
• Don't be afraid to raise concerns about HAI with staff.

If you have any further concerns please feel free to contact the Infection Control Team on 01224 550998.

A good visitor also:

• Always considers other patients and staff as well as his / her friend or relative.
• Goes and finds a chair to sit on, and returns it after use.
• Brings sensible gifts (see below).
• Tries not to bring your children but if this is unavoidable, does not let them run riot.
• Checks with close relatives which is the best day to visit.
• Visits during ward visiting times and offers to leave if other visitors arrive.
• Doesn't burden the patient with their own problems.
• Respects the patient's confidentiality, and doesn't delve into the charts at the bottom of the bed.
• Is willing to take home the patient's personal laundry.

Food

When in hospital, relatives and friends often bring in a patient's favourite food from home as a treat. Any food brought in should be branded goods, in sealed packets with a sell by date.  It should not require re-heating.  Please speak to the nurse in charge before giving a patient food brought from outside the hospital.

Please note that the hospital cannot accept responsibility for foods not prepared by us.

Gifts etc. - what can I take ?

YES

• Toiletries
• Magazines
• Small flower arrangements
• Plants in containers

NO

• Alcohol
• Tobacco products
• Large bulky products
• Large amounts of food
• Food that needs re-heating