Farnham Hospital visiting times are generally, although some wards, such as maternity and rehabilitation units, have specific visiting schedules.
Visitors are usually limited to two people at a time, and certain guidelines like hand hygiene and postponing visits when unwell help ensure patient safety.
Planning a hospital visit can sometimes feel confusing, especially when different wards have their own rules.
This guide explains everything you need to know about standard hours, ward-specific variations, maternity access, and visitor etiquette, so you can plan your visit with confidence.
General Farnham Hospital Visiting Times
Farnham Hospital visiting times are generally from 9 am until 9 pm, offering families and friends plenty of flexibility when planning their visit. These times are consistent with most hospitals across the Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, ensuring that patients benefit from regular companionship while still receiving the rest and care they need.
To maintain a calm and safe environment, each patient is normally allowed a maximum of two visitors at a time. This policy prevents overcrowding in shared wards and helps nursing staff deliver uninterrupted care.
If more relatives or friends wish to visit, it is often best to rotate in small groups throughout the day. Visitors are also encouraged to check in at the ward reception desk upon arrival, where staff can confirm whether any special restrictions are in place.
In certain clinical areas, face masks may be required. Although they are not mandatory throughout the hospital, masks are provided free of charge at entrances and ward receptions.
Hand hygiene remains a priority, and visitors are asked to use the alcohol-based sanitiser stations before and after entering a ward. Importantly, anyone feeling unwell especially with symptoms of flu, cough, or stomach upset should postpone their visit to protect vulnerable patients.
If you are unsure about the visiting times for a specific ward, it is always best to contact the hospital directly. Staff can confirm whether any protected mealtimes, medical reviews, or exceptional restrictions apply, ensuring your visit goes smoothly.
When visiting a patient at Farnham Hospital, it’s important to follow a few simple guidelines that make the experience more comfortable for everyone. Visitors should always respect quiet times on the ward, keeping noise to a minimum and avoiding lengthy conversations if other patients are resting.
Mobile phones should be set to silent, and calls taken outside the ward to maintain a calm environment.
Bringing small personal items, such as books, newspapers, or toiletries, can be a thoughtful way to support a patient’s recovery. However, large bouquets, latex balloons, or strong-smelling food are discouraged, as they may cause discomfort or trigger allergies in nearby patients.
Staff may also ask visitors not to sit on hospital beds, to reduce the risk of infection.
Another key aspect of visitor etiquette is time management. While visiting hours run from 9 am to 9 pm, shorter visits are often better for a patient’s wellbeing, especially if they are still recovering from treatment. Checking with nursing staff before visiting also helps ensure you arrive at a convenient time, avoiding clashes with ward rounds or therapy sessions.
By following these etiquette tips, visitors can contribute positively to a patient’s recovery while ensuring hospital staff can continue their work without disruption.
Visiting Outpatients and the Emergency Department
Unlike inpatient wards, where visiting hours are longer, the rules for outpatients and the Emergency Department at Farnham Hospital are more limited. For appointments, scans, and urgent care visits, patients are generally permitted to bring only one accompanying person.
This guideline is in place to reduce congestion in waiting areas, protect patient privacy, and ensure staff can move freely between patients.
For many families, having to restrict numbers can feel difficult, especially when more than one relative wishes to provide support. However, staff at Farnham Hospital encourage families to nominate one companion who can stay throughout the visit and then share updates with others afterwards.
In situations where patients may require additional support for example, if they have mobility issues, communication difficulties, or a need for translation exceptions can sometimes be made, but these should be discussed with staff in advance.
The Emergency Department can be particularly busy, so keeping visitor numbers low helps ensure patients are treated as quickly as possible. Visitors are asked to sit in designated areas, keep personal belongings to a minimum, and remain respectful of patient confidentiality.
If waiting areas become crowded, staff may politely ask visitors to step outside until the patient is ready to be discharged or moved to a ward.
By following these guidelines, families can still offer meaningful support to loved ones while helping Farnham Hospital maintain a safe and efficient environment for everyone.
Farnham Hospital Visiting Times Maternity
Visiting rules for the maternity unit at Farnham Hospital are slightly different from general wards, reflecting the need to provide both rest for new mothers and bonding time for families. As of the latest NHS guidance, one nominated support person is permitted to stay from 6 am until 11 pm.
This ensures that mothers have consistent support throughout the day, especially during feeding, recovery, and postnatal checks.
Siblings of the newborn are welcome to visit between 2 pm and 8 pm, accompanied by one adult. Allowing siblings to meet the baby in a controlled environment helps them feel included in the family’s experience, while limiting the hours ensures visits do not interfere with patient care.
For other visitors, access is also limited to 2 pm until 8 pm, with a maximum of two people at the bedside at any one time. To maintain a calm and safe ward environment, children under 10 years old (except siblings of the baby) are not permitted to visit.
These rules are in line with Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust’s wider policy, designed to reduce infection risks and allow new mothers time to rest.
Visitors are asked to respect the privacy of other families on the ward, keep noise levels low, and avoid long visits late in the evening. By following these guidelines, families can enjoy precious time together while ensuring mothers and newborns receive the care and peace they need.
Ward-Specific Farnham Hospital Visiting Times
While the Farnham Hospital visiting times ward specific is 9 am to 9 pm, some wards have their own rules to protect patient wellbeing. One example is the Runfold Ward, which provides rehabilitation care.
According to patient feedback and previous guidance, this ward traditionally follows protected visiting times of 2 pm to 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm to 8 pm. These shorter sessions are designed to keep meal times undisturbed and allow patients to participate in therapy and medical reviews without interruption.
Other rehabilitation wards at Farnham Hospital, such as Bentley, Bourne and Hale, may also apply similar restrictions. Protected mealtimes are increasingly common across NHS community hospitals, as they encourage patients to eat without distractions and support their recovery.
For this reason, visitors are advised to avoid arriving during breakfast, lunch, or evening meals unless invited by staff.
If you are planning to visit a specific ward, the best approach is to phone ahead and confirm the exact times with the ward reception. Staff will be able to tell you if there are any temporary restrictions in place, such as those linked to infection outbreaks or clinical priorities.
This ensures you won’t be turned away unexpectedly and helps the hospital manage a safe, calm environment.
By respecting these ward-specific rules, visitors can make their time with loved ones more meaningful while supporting the hospital’s focus on patient recovery.
Farnham Hospital Access, Parking & Facilities
When planning a visit to Farnham Hospital, it helps to know what facilities are available to make your trip smoother. The hospital provides free on-site parking, which is a welcome benefit compared to many larger NHS hospitals.
There are also clearly marked Blue Badge bays near the main entrance, alongside a drop-off zone for patients with mobility issues. Spaces can fill up quickly at peak times, so arriving a little earlier than your visiting slot is recommended.
Accessibility has been well considered throughout the site. Visitors will find step-free access, automatic entrance doors, lifts to ward areas, and adapted toilets for those with additional needs.
Outside of normal hours, an intercom system is available to request entry, ensuring visitors can still gain safe access in the evening.
The hospital also has waiting areas and seating zones for visitors, though these can become busy at peak visiting times. Food and drink facilities are limited compared with larger hospitals, so many visitors choose to bring small refreshments with them.
However, hot food and drinks should not be taken onto wards for hygiene and safety reasons.
Signage around the site is clear and colour-coded, helping first-time visitors navigate quickly to reception areas and wards. If unsure, staff at the main reception desk are always happy to guide visitors.
With free parking, good accessibility, and supportive staff, Farnham Hospital is well set up to make visiting as stress-free as possible.
Visitor Farnham Hospital Rules & Best Practices
To ensure visits are safe, comfortable, and beneficial for patients, Farnham Hospital has a set of visitor rules and best practices that all guests are encouraged to follow.
These guidelines not only protect vulnerable patients but also support staff in delivering the best possible care.
First and foremost, visitors should avoid attending if they feel unwell, especially with symptoms such as coughs, colds, flu, or stomach upsets. Even mild illnesses can have a serious impact on patients recovering from surgery, infection, or long-term conditions.
Hand hygiene is equally important: sanitiser stations are located at ward entrances, and visitors are expected to clean their hands both when entering and leaving.
Visitors are also asked to respect meal times and ward routines. During protected mealtimes, patients are encouraged to focus on eating without distractions. This is particularly relevant on rehabilitation wards, where nutrition plays a key role in recovery.
Keeping visits short and calm can also help patients conserve their energy and avoid fatigue.
Noise levels should be kept low, and phones should be placed on silent to maintain a peaceful environment. Visitors are reminded not to sit on beds, as this increases the risk of infection, and instead use chairs provided by the ward.
Bringing gifts such as books, magazines, or toiletries is welcomed, but items like strong-smelling foods, flowers, or latex balloons may not be suitable.
By following these simple best practices, visitors can make their time at Farnham Hospital both positive and supportive, ensuring loved ones benefit from companionship without compromising care.
Contact Information for Farnham Hospital
If you are planning a visit and need to confirm ward-specific visiting times, the easiest way is to contact the hospital directly. Farnham Hospital is managed by Frimley Health NHS Foundation
Trust, and staff can provide the latest updates on visiting hours, ward restrictions, and accessibility.
- Main Switchboard (Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust): +443006138000
- Hospital Address: Manor Rd, Farnham GU9 9QL, United Kingdom
Ward reception desks can also be contacted directly through the main switchboard. If you are unsure which ward your relative is staying on, the reception staff will guide you.
For non-urgent enquiries, it is often best to call during office hours when administrative staff are available.
If you have accessibility concerns, need parking information, or wish to check whether exceptions can be made to standard visitor rules, contacting the hospital in advance ensures your visit goes smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions about Farnham Hospital Visiting Times
1. What are The Standard Visiting Times at Farnham Hospital?
General inpatient visiting times are 9 am to 9 pm daily. However, some wards, such as rehabilitation units, may have shorter protected visiting periods, so it’s always best to check with the ward directly.
2. Can Children Visit Patients at Farnham Hospital?
Yes, but with restrictions. On general wards, children are usually welcome if supervised by an adult. In maternity wards, siblings of the baby may visit between 2 pm and 8 pm, but other children under 10 are not permitted.
3. How Many Visitors are Allowed at The Bedside?
Most patients can have two visitors at a time. This helps prevent overcrowding and ensures a calm environment. Visitors may need to rotate if more relatives or friends wish to attend.
Conclusion
Visiting a loved one at Farnham Hospital is made easier with clear guidance on opening hours, ward rules, and visitor etiquette. In general, visiting times are 9 am to 9 pm for inpatients, though maternity and rehabilitation wards have more specific restrictions to protect patient care.
By following hospital rules on hygiene, visitor numbers, and quiet hours, families and friends can make their visits more meaningful while supporting recovery.
To avoid disappointment, it is always best to check with the ward before travelling, especially if your relative is on a specialist unit like Runfold or maternity. Taking a few minutes to confirm details ensures your visit runs smoothly and gives your loved one the benefit of stress-free companionship.
If you’re planning further visits, explore more hospital guides on Hospital Visit Times to stay up to date with NHS policies across Surrey and beyond. Sharing this information with other visitors can also help families prepare with confidence.
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