Castle Hill Hospital Visiting Times are daily from 11 am to 8 pm for general wards, offering flexible access for friends and family to visit patients. Specialist units, including ICU, maternity, and paediatrics, follow more tailored schedules to ensure patient care and safety.
Wondering how and when you can visit a loved one at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham? Whether you’re planning a visit to the main wards or seeking access to sensitive areas like intensive care or the neonatal unit, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Backed by the latest NHS guidelines and hospital policies, we break down exact visiting hours, special rules for different departments, and how to prepare before you go.
Read on to make your visit smooth, timely, and stress-free starting with the basics on general visiting hours.
Castle Hill Hospital Visiting Times
Castle Hill Hospital welcomes visitors to its general inpatient wards every day from 11 am to 8 pm. These extended hours allow greater flexibility for family members and friends to plan their visits around work or travel.
Patients are typically allowed up to two visitors at a time, and no appointment is required to attend during these standard hours.
Visitors are encouraged to be mindful of the patient’s condition and care needs. Keeping visits calm, quiet, and within a reasonable duration helps ensure a supportive environment for recovery.
For patients with mobility issues, end-of-life care needs, or cognitive impairments, additional arrangements may be made through the ward team or a designated Care Partner.
To maintain infection control and safeguard both patients and staff, all visitors must clean their hands upon entry and exit. Alcohol gel stations are available at all entrances. While face coverings are not required throughout the hospital, masks may be mandatory in certain high-risk areas or during respiratory outbreaks.
If you’re unsure which ward your loved one is on, the main reception desk or switchboard (01482 875875) can help direct your enquiry before arrival.
Specialist Unit Visiting Times
Visiting hours at Castle Hill Hospital vary significantly across specialised departments to balance emotional support with clinical care. Below is a detailed breakdown by unit, helping you plan accordingly.
ICU and High Dependency Units (HDU)
Visiting patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or High Dependency Unit (HDU) at Castle Hill Hospital requires advance planning. Standard visiting windows are:
- 1 pm to 4 pm
- 6 pm to 9 pm
Only two visitors per patient are allowed at one time to prevent overcrowding and minimise disruption to care.
Some specialist intensive care areas, such as GICU1 and CICU1, operate a 24-hour visiting policy for close family or primary carers. In these cases, visitors must arrange access through the unit’s nursing staff in advance. Flexibility is offered for critical or end-of-life situations.
To maintain patient safety, all ICU visitors are expected to adhere to strict hygiene and PPE protocols, including mask-wearing, depending on the current infection risk. It’s also advised not to bring personal belongings into the ward unless necessary.
For up-to-date access arrangements, it’s best to contact the unit directly or ask hospital reception to put you through to the appropriate ward.
Maternity and Labour Ward Access
Castle Hill Hospital provides supportive visiting arrangements for those with loved ones in the maternity and labour wards, ensuring birthing partners and families can remain closely involved while maintaining a calm, safe environment for mother and baby.
On antenatal and postnatal wards, one designated birth partner is welcome between 9 am and 9 pm daily. A second adult along with the patient’s children is allowed during two short visiting windows:
- 3 pm to 4 pm
- 6 pm to 7 pm
During labour and delivery, patients may have two birth partners present throughout the process. This ensures continuous support, especially during longer labours or complex deliveries.
Castle Hill’s maternity team encourages all visitors to practice excellent hygiene and refrain from visiting if unwell. For children, visiting is permitted but must be supervised at all times, and may be restricted during seasonal illness outbreaks like flu or norovirus.
Always confirm visiting arrangements with the maternity ward before travelling, as exceptions or short-term changes may apply depending on patient needs or hospital status.
Visiting Neonatal Intensive Care
For babies receiving specialist treatment in Castle Hill Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), visiting is carefully managed to ensure a nurturing and infection-free environment. The hospital adopts a family-centred approach, giving parents maximum access while safeguarding vulnerable infants.
Parents or primary carers can visit at any time of day or night, providing vital continuity and bonding. This unrestricted access applies to both parents and is strongly encouraged by the unit.
Other close family members such as siblings and grandparents may visit between 2 pm and 7 pm. These visits are supervised and must be arranged with the ward staff to ensure minimal disruption to the clinical environment.
Strict hygiene standards are in place throughout the NICU. All visitors must wash and sanitise hands thoroughly, remove outerwear, and may be asked to wear a mask. If anyone has cold, flu, or stomach symptoms, they should postpone their visit until symptom-free for at least 48 hours.
Given the NICU’s sensitive setting, it’s essential to check current guidance with the unit, especially during periods of heightened infection risk or increased admissions.
Children’s Wards and Paediatric HDU
Castle Hill Hospital offers compassionate visiting policies for children staying on paediatric wards or in the Paediatric High Dependency Unit (HDU). These units prioritise parental involvement while maintaining a secure and restful environment for young patients.
Parents or legal guardians are allowed to visit at any time, with no restrictions on hours. This open-access policy supports emotional wellbeing, facilitates decision-making, and allows parents to remain active participants in their child’s care.
Other family members such as siblings or grandparents may be permitted to visit after the first 48 hours of the child’s admission, but only by prior arrangement with the ward team. The hospital limits the number of visitors in these wards to prevent overstimulation and reduce infection risk.
All visitors must be in good health and adhere to hygiene measures such as hand washing on entry and exit. During infection control periods, masks may be required, and visits by non-residents may be further limited.
Parents are encouraged to speak to their child’s care team about staying overnight or any support they may need while their child is hospitalised.
Cardiac & Thoracic Units
Castle Hill Hospital is a regional centre for cardiac and thoracic care, with Wards 26 and 27 dedicated to post-operative and specialist respiratory patients. These wards have designated visiting blocks to support patient recovery while accommodating regular family contact.
Standard visiting times for these units are:
- 2.30 pm to 5 pm
- 6.30 pm to 8 pm
Each patient may receive up to two visitors at a time during these hours. Visitors are advised to keep noise to a minimum and avoid bringing food or flowers unless approved by the nursing team.
For patients in the General Intensive Care Unit (GICU1) located within the same cardiac complex, a 24-hour visiting policy is available. However, this must be arranged directly with staff and typically applies to immediate family, end-of-life situations, or those with high dependency needs.
All visitors to cardiac and thoracic units are required to observe infection control rules, especially during respiratory virus seasons. If you’re unsure about the appropriate time or procedure to visit, contact the ward in advance for guidance.
Weekend and Holiday Visiting Rules
Castle Hill Hospital maintains its regular visiting schedule throughout weekends and most public holidays, offering consistent access for families and friends who may only be able to visit outside the working week.
For general wards, the hours remain 11 am to 8 pm, seven days a week. This includes Saturdays, Sundays, and bank holidays unless otherwise stated by the hospital. No additional booking is required during these times.
However, specialist units such as ICU, maternity, and paediatrics may adjust their policies slightly based on clinical staffing or seasonal pressures. For instance, during high-demand periods or infectious disease outbreaks, temporary restrictions or reduced hours may apply.
Holiday visiting may also be staggered in units with limited space or vulnerable patients. If you plan to visit over a bank holiday or festive period, it is strongly recommended to call ahead to the ward or check online for the latest updates.
As with weekday visits, all visitors should continue to follow hospital hygiene protocols and avoid visiting if feeling unwell.
What to Know Before You Visit
Before heading to Castle Hill Hospital, it’s important to familiarise yourself with essential visitor guidelines that help protect patients, staff, and other visitors.
Health and Hygiene Requirements
All visitors must sanitize their hands upon entering and leaving the hospital. Hand gel dispensers are widely available, and signs throughout the hospital remind visitors to maintain high hygiene standards.
Face coverings are not mandatory in most areas but may still be required in respiratory wards, ICUs, or during outbreaks of infections like COVID-19 or norovirus. The hospital will display clear signage where masks are needed and may provide them on entry to certain units.
Illness and Symptoms
If you are experiencing symptoms such as a persistent cough, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, or flu-like illness, you should not visit until you have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours. This precaution helps prevent the spread of infection among vulnerable patients.
Children and Supervision
Children under 12 are allowed in most areas but must be closely supervised at all times. Certain wards—such as ICU or maternity may place temporary restrictions on child visitors during periods of high risk.
Respectful Conduct
Visitors are asked to respect ward routines, patient rest periods, and staff instructions. Photography, mobile phone use, and loud conversations should be avoided inside patient care areas.
Special Access
Castle Hill Hospital recognises that some patients benefit greatly from the continuous presence of a trusted individual.
For those with additional needs such as dementia, communication challenges, learning disabilities, or serious mental health conditions the hospital encourages the use of Care Partners.
A Care Partner is a named person who provides practical and emotional support beyond standard visiting hours. This could include assisting with meals, personal care, or helping the patient understand medical information.
Care Partners are allowed greater flexibility in visiting, often outside the usual 11 am–8 pm window. In some cases, they may even be permitted to stay overnight, especially where their presence improves patient wellbeing or reduces anxiety.
To register as a Care Partner, speak to the ward manager or nurse in charge. They will assess the patient’s circumstances and arrange access if appropriate. While Care Partners enjoy extended rights, they are still expected to follow hygiene policies and coordinate closely with staff.
This approach ensures personalised care while maintaining safety standards for all patients on the ward.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I visit outside the standard visiting hours at Castle Hill Hospital?
In general, visiting hours for most wards are from 11 am to 8 pm daily. However, exceptions can be made for Care Partners or under special circumstances such as end-of-life care or patients with additional needs. Always contact the relevant ward in advance to request extended access.
2. How many visitors are allowed per patient?
Typically, two visitors per patient are allowed at one time. This rule helps manage space, noise, and infection risk. Some specialist areas may be stricter, so it’s best to check with the ward directly before arriving in a group.
3. Do I need to wear a mask or book in advance?
No booking is required for standard visits. Masks are generally not mandatory, but they may be required in high-risk areas like ICU or during infection outbreaks. Always follow signage and staff instructions regarding personal protective equipment.
Conclusion
Castle Hill Hospital visiting times are designed to support patients and families while maintaining a safe, calm environment for recovery. With daily access from 11 am to 8 pm across general wards and specific arrangements in place for ICU, maternity, paediatrics, and specialist units, visitors can plan with confidence and care.
Whether you’re a birth partner, a parent in NICU, or simply checking in on a recovering loved one, this guide helps you navigate the hospital’s visiting rules with ease. Don’t forget to follow hygiene measures, check for any unit-specific restrictions, and reach out to wards directly if in doubt.
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