Dewsbury Hospital visiting times, with some wards operating their own schedules.
Managed by the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, these hours allow family and friends to spend meaningful time with loved ones while ensuring staff can provide the best possible care.
If you’re planning a visit, it’s important to know that each patient can usually receive up to two visitors at a time, and masks are only required if there is a suspected respiratory infection.
Knowing the right Dewsbury Hospital visiting times helps avoid wasted journeys, ensures smooth ward routines, and gives patients the comfort of familiar faces.
General Dewsbury Hospital Visiting Times
Dewsbury Hospital visiting times are currently 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, unless a ward specifies otherwise. These hours apply to most adult inpatient wards across the hospital. To keep visits safe and comfortable for patients, a maximum of two visitors per patient is allowed at any one time.
The hospital, which forms part of the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, encourages families to plan their visits carefully. Masks are no longer required in most wards, except when visiting patients with respiratory infections such as flu or COVID-19, where staff may advise extra precautions.
This balance helps ensure patients can see their loved ones, while allowing staff to carry out care routines effectively. If you are unsure about the rules for a specific ward, it is always best to call ahead before travelling.
Ward-Specific Dewsbury Hospital Visiting Times
While the standard 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. hours apply to most wards, some units at Dewsbury Hospital operate under different rules to protect vulnerable patients or to support specialist care.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
The Intensive Care Unit has more flexible visiting arrangements to allow families to support critically ill patients. However, visits may be shorter and staggered to prevent overcrowding. Staff will usually arrange suitable visiting times directly with families. It is recommended to phone the ICU in advance, as visiting can change at short notice depending on patient needs and infection control.
Maternity and Children’s Wards
For maternity services, birth partners are welcome at any time, and additional visiting is usually arranged around patient comfort. Parents and guardians visiting children’s wards also benefit from more flexible access, although the hospital may restrict visitor numbers to protect young patients from infection. Siblings may be permitted under supervision, but policies can vary depending on the ward’s circumstances.
Elderly Care Unit – Ward 9
At Dewsbury Hospital’s Ward 9 (Acute Care for the Elderly), visiting times differ from the main hospital hours. The ward operates an open visiting system from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, but it is closed to visitors at weekends. Families are also asked to avoid visiting during mealtimes so that patients can eat comfortably. This arrangement allows staff to manage care routines while giving relatives regular opportunities to visit during the week.
Recent Changes to Visiting Hours
Visiting times at Dewsbury Hospital have changed in recent years. Before November 2023, the Trust allowed visits from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., but this was reduced to 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
The change was introduced to give nursing teams dedicated time in the mornings to provide patient care without interruption, while still offering generous hours for visitors.
Earlier in 2023, additional restrictions were in place due to infection control measures, including limited hours (2 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and mask requirements.
These have since been relaxed, but the Trust reminds visitors that policies may be updated again if there are outbreaks of flu, norovirus, or COVID-19.
For this reason, the hospital encourages all visitors to check the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust website or contact wards directly before travelling.
What Visitors Need to Know Before Arriving
When visiting Dewsbury Hospital, it’s important to be prepared so that your visit is safe and stress-free.
- Parking and Access – Car parking is available on-site but can be limited during peak times. Allow extra time before your visit.
- Infection Control – Wash your hands before and after entering wards. Masks are only required if advised by staff. Do not visit if you have flu, sickness, diarrhoea, or other contagious symptoms.
- Children Visiting – Children are welcome in some wards but must be supervised by an adult. To protect patients, very young children may be discouraged from visiting during winter when infections are common.
- Respecting Routines – Please avoid visiting during mealtimes unless you are there to help feed a patient. Staff may ask visitors to step out during ward rounds or personal care.
- Bringing Gifts – Flowers are not allowed in some wards due to infection risks. Check with staff before bringing food or items.
By following these guidelines, you will help keep the hospital safe and supportive for patients and staff.
Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust Visiting Policies
Dewsbury Hospital is part of the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, which also includes Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield and Pontefract Hospital. The Trust has aligned visiting hours across all three sites, setting the standard 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily visiting time for general adult wards.
This consistency helps families plan visits across different hospitals in the region. However, just like at Dewsbury, ward-specific rules can apply at Pinderfields and Pontefract, particularly for intensive care, maternity, and paediatrics.
For the latest updates, the Trust encourages checking its official website or contacting wards directly. Internal links to Pinderfields and Pontefract visiting hours will also help readers on our site find what they need quickly.
Conclusion
Visiting times at Dewsbury and District Hospital are currently set between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily, with some wards such as the Elderly Care Unit (Ward 9) running different schedules. Most patients can welcome up to two visitors at a time, while masks are generally not required unless there is a confirmed respiratory infection.
These visiting arrangements strike a balance between patient care and family support, ensuring loved ones can spend quality time together while hospital staff maintain safe and efficient routines. However, policies may change at short notice especially during outbreaks of flu, norovirus, or COVID-19 so it is always wise to check with the hospital before travelling.
If you are planning a visit, prepare ahead by considering parking, ward restrictions, and infection control rules. For details on other local hospitals at Hospitalvisittimes.com.
Staying informed means your visit will be smooth, supportive, and reassuring for the patient you are visiting.
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