Visitors policy and visiting times

We have extended our visiting times and these are now between 11.00am and 7.00pm but please check with the ward you would like to visit as there are exceptions to this policy.

Wards 41, 43 and 51 at Darlington Memorial Hospital operate a visiting time between 1:30pm -- 7pm each day with no more than 3 visitors at one time per patient.

Please note the Richardson Hospital operates visiting times between 2-8pm.

However, we know that there may be circumstances where visiting outside of these hours is required and this should be discussed on an indiviudal basis with the appropriate ward or department.

There are also some clinical areas which are exceptions to this policy such as our maternity wards, critical care, neonatal and paediatric wards, please ask these wards directly about their visiting times via the main switchboards at Darlington Memorial Hospital 01325 380 100 or University Hospital of North Durham 0191 333 2333.

When visiting family or friends we politely ask you to follow these simple rules:

• Clean your hands before entering and when leaving wards or treatment areas: hand disinfectant is available at the entrance to all wards and department areas.
• To help stop the spread of infection, do not visit if you are unwell or if you have a tummy upset.
• Wait until you have been symptom free for 72 hours before visiting.
• Only two visitors per patient and no sitting on beds.
• Only visit for short periods (maximum of 1 hour) and allow patients to rest before next visitors arrive. Information about visiting times is available at each ward entrance.
• Please only use mobile phones in permitted areas, do not use cameras within mobile phones.
  Smoking is not permitted within Trust grounds. (Visit the website for information on getting help to stop smoking)
• The visiting of patients by children under the age of 12 years is discouraged, unless the patient is parent, brother or sister.
• Please do not run anywhere in the hospital (children should be supervised at all times).
• Please note we operate a zero tolerance on violence and aggression towards staff, other visitors and patients.
• Gifts and flowers - check with ward staff first.
• Treat everyone, patients, staff and visitors with dignity and respect at all times.
• Remember everyone has the right to privacy.

To read our full Visitor Policy - CLICK HERE