Inpatient Visiting Arrangements and Outpatient Appointments
Please find below the information relevant to visiting arrangements and outpatient appointments at both Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley and South Ribble Hospital.
Normally visiting times take place each day between 2pm and 7pm. We understand that some people may not be able to visit at these times due to their circumstances and our departments will use reasonable judgement when requests are made outside of these times to try and accommodate visitors and provide a good patient experience.
Please note visiting hours vary in the following departments:
Maternity Wards
Two birthing partners can attend for labour and birth on the Delivery Suite/Birth Centre at all times.
One named partner can always provide support, and a second visitor may attend the maternity unit between 2pm and 7pm, along with the mother’s own other children who are also permitted to visit at this time.
One support partner can attend all hospital outpatient appointments and all scans.
Neonatal Unit
Parents, guardians, and siblings may visit at any time (all children need to be supervised by an adult).
Other adult visitors can attend between 2pm and 4pm and 6pm and 7pm (maximum of 2 people by the cot side at any time, which includes parents, so staggered visiting is recommended. No children other than siblings can visit).
Ward 8
Parents, guardians, and siblings may visit at any time.
Other visitors are restricted to 3.30pm until 5pm and 7pm until 8pm. Special requests for extended visiting or visiting outside the times will be reviewed upon request.
Critical Care Unit
On admission to the unit visiting will be discussed with relatives and supported on an individual bases with families and significant others.
For level 2 (more stable) patients, visitors are requested to visit between 2pm and 7pm Monday to Friday.
Please be advised a consistent approach to carers is adopted in our critical care unit and due to the nature of the critical care unit, flexibility to visiting times will be supported when required.
End of Life Care
When someone is thought to be in their last days of life, open visiting will be offered in all in-patient areas. This is limited to a small number of visitors at a time to ensure that the patient is able to rest. Please contact the ward area directly to make additional arrangements.
Virtual Visiting
Virtual visiting is supported by our wards for patients whose visitors are unable to attend our hospitals. This includes options such as telephone calls, facetime, or other alternative formats.
Visitor Accommodation
Bowland house is available to visitors with patients on critical care, the neonatal unit, major trauma unit, neurosurgery and patients who are in the last days of life.
Please speak to our staff who will be able to support and advise details.
Outpatient appointments
Patients may be accompanied to their outpatient appointments in line with visiting guidance.
Outpatients, and those accompanying them are required to comply with safety measures as identified by clinical staff.
Accompanying family members/relatives/loved ones must NOT attend the hospital if they feel generally unwell.
Parking arrangements
It is important to note that our hospitals are currently very busy and visitor parking is limited. Visitor parking at both Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley and South Ribble Hospital can be located on our site maps available here.
General car parking information can be found here.
Other information
Children under the age of 13 should always be accompanied by an adult and be appropriately supervised at all times.
Visitors including children, who have colds, stomach upsets or other infections are advised NOT to visit.
Visitors are NOT permitted to take photographs or record information in the clinical area due to the risk of breaching confidentiality and disclosure of sensitive material into the public domain. Any exceptional circumstances should be discussed with the shift leader.
