Also in Patient Guide to Surgery:
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.
This does not apply to telephoning patients via Hospedia (formerly Patientlineâ) 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.
Please try to keep noise levels down as noise disturbs people who are unwell.
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 cannot overcome these problems without the involvement of the public.
If you have any further concerns please feel free to contact the Infection Control Team on 01224 550998.
Visiting times vary from ward to ward. The visiting times are usually displayed outside each ward. If they are not please ask the ward staff or receptionist.
Remember that although visiting times are quite extensive, it is not intended that visitors remain for the entire visiting period particularly those who may be quite ill. In most instances this is not in the best interests of patients. It is often helpful for family and friends to plan their visits in such a way that the patient has the opportunity to have regular visitors, but for short periods only. Your co-operation will be appreciated by both patients and staff
Only two visitors are allowed at your bedside at any one time. Children may visit you at the discretion of the Nurse in Charge. As you will appreciate some restrictions on visiting are essential to ensure that ward staff are able to carry out their duties. If circumstances make it very difficult for friends or relatives to visit during normal hours, please approach the Nurse in Charge of the ward who will consider individual circumstances sympathetically.
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.
NHS Grampian recognises that tobacco smoke causes discomfort and ill health to everyone, whether they smoke or not. Therefore smoking is not allowed within hospital buildings and entrance areas.
There are designated smoking areas for patients & visitors - please ask staff.
Alcohol must not be consumed in the hospital or its grounds unless specifically prescribed by your hospital doctor.
NHS Grampian does not accept unauthorised/illegal drugs or illicit substances being brought or consumed on to its premises.
To ensure staff are able to provide and patients are able to receive health care of the highest quality, NHS Grampian requests that service users and visitors:
Do not act in a manner that humiliates, frightens or makes staff or other patients feel unsafe or vulnerable. This includes verbal abuse, threats, antisocial behaviour, harassment, bullying and physical assault. NHS Grampian takes this behaviour extremely seriously and will take appropriate action in all cases.