Lister Hospital visiting times vary by ward, with policies designed to support patient recovery while accommodating loved ones. Whether you’re visiting a new mum, a child in Bluebell Ward, or a relative in critical care, knowing the right hours is essential.
General visiting at Lister Hospital typically runs from 2 pm to 8 pm, but hours differ for maternity, neonatal, and acute care units. Birth partners and parents often have extended access, while ICU and paediatric areas have stricter entry rules.
Planning a visit? Don’t get caught out by outdated or unclear schedules. In this guide, we break down all current Lister Hospital visiting times ward by ward plus what to know before you go, including Covid-era policies, parking tips, and who can accompany you.
Read on for the most reliable, up-to-date visitor information for one of Hertfordshire’s busiest NHS hospitals.
Lister Hospital Visiting Times
Lister Hospital in Stevenage, part of the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, welcomes visitors daily under clearly defined guidelines.
While visiting hours differ across wards, most areas operate on a daily visiting window between 2 pm aLister Hospital Visiting Times 2025nd 8 pm. However, specialist units such as maternity, critical care, and neonatal have separate arrangements.
Visitors should always check ward-specific rules before arrival, as exceptions may apply depending on patient needs, infection control protocols, or staff-led requests.
The hospital encourages visitors to remain symptom-free, particularly regarding colds, flu, or COVID-like symptoms.
Lister Hospital offers multiple visitor car parks, including Blue Badge bays. Parking charges apply, but concessions are available for long-stay carers or parents of children in hospital.
Public transport links are strong, with Stevenage train station nearby and several local buses stopping at the hospital grounds.
Visitors should use the Orange Zone entrance for critical care or tower block wards, and the Green Zone for children’s services. Signage and help points throughout the hospital help with navigation.
Call ahead to confirm visiting times for your loved one’s specific ward. Each unit has different allowances and some request prior coordination, particularly in high-dependency or maternity settings.
Lister Hospital Ward Visiting Times
To support both patient recovery and meaningful time with loved ones, Lister Hospital offers clearly structured visiting windows. Each ward follows a specific schedule depending on the type of care it provides. Below is a detailed breakdown by department and unit.
Medical and Surgical Wards
General medical and surgical wards at Lister Hospital typically follow a flexible visiting model. The hospital encourages quiet, calm visits that do not disrupt medical care or rest times.
While core hours are commonly between 2 pm and 8 pm, many wards have extended access times especially in areas dealing with long-stay or elderly patients.
Examples of current visiting times include:
- Ashwell Ward (elderly care): Open from 8 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week. This wide window supports frequent family visits and carer involvement.
- Barley Ward (stroke care): Also welcomes visitors from 8 am to 10 pm, helping families be part of ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
- Balmoral Ward: Standard hours are 2 pm to 8 pm, aligning with daily hospital routines and care handovers.
- Lister Discharge Lounge: No visiting is permitted, as this area focuses solely on patient transitions and clinical handover.
Visitors are generally limited to two at a time. Special arrangements can be made for compassionate grounds, language support, or care planning meetings, subject to staff approval.
When attending medical wards, it’s advised to arrive during non-meal times (i.e. avoid lunch around 12:30 pm and dinner from 5 pm–6 pm). This ensures your visit is comfortable for the patient and fits well with the ward’s schedule.
Acute Units – AMU, ACU, and AAU
Lister Hospital’s acute units are fast-paced, high-turnover environments where timely treatment and observation take priority. Visiting hours in these wards are carefully structured to balance patient stability with family engagement.
Acute Medical Unit (AMU):
- Visiting hours: 2 pm – 8 pm, 7 days a week
- Visitors: Up to 2 people at a time
- Notes: Due to the nature of acute medical care, visiting may be paused during patient examinations or emergency procedures.
AMU2 (Acute step-down care):
- Visiting hours: Split into two sessions 2 pm – 4 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm
- Visitors: Limited to two per patient
- Staff may restrict visits during handovers or clinical escalation periods.
Acute Cardiac Unit (ACU):
- Visiting hours: 2 pm – 4 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm
- Entry outside of these times may be arranged via senior staff if urgent family contact is required.
In acute units, the staff may ask visitors to step out temporarily during clinical reviews, procedures, or patient transfers.
It’s also recommended to avoid calling the ward during handover periods typically between 7–8 am and 7–8 pm as staff availability is limited during these times.
Acute units are not suitable for young children, unless prior permission is obtained. As always, if in doubt, contact the unit reception or nurse-in-charge before visiting.
Children & Paediatric Wards
Lister Hospital’s paediatric care is centred around the Bluebell Unit, which provides inpatient services for children and teens. The unit aims to create a family-friendly environment, where parents are not just visitors but partners in care.
Bluebell Children’s Ward:
- Visiting hours: 8 am – 8 pm, 7 days a week
- Parent access: One parent or guardian may stay overnight, with a dedicated pull-down bed available in most rooms.
- Other visitors: Siblings and close family members can visit during normal hours, but must be accompanied by an adult and free from illness.
The hospital encourages at least one parent or legal guardian to be present for major consultations or medical updates. Quiet time is observed during evening hours, especially after 7 pm, to help young patients wind down for rest.
Visitors are advised to use the Green Zone entrance and follow paediatric signage. The Bluebell Unit has strict hygiene protocols to reduce infection risks including hand sanitising stations and symptom screening for all non-resident visitors.
As a paediatric ward, toys, gifts, and snacks should be age-appropriate and discussed with staff beforehand. Disruptive behaviour, loud mobile devices, or multiple unannounced visitors are discouraged to maintain a calm healing space.
Maternity Wards Dacre & Gloucester
The maternity services at Lister Hospital are based in Dacre Ward (antenatal) and Gloucester Ward (postnatal). These wards support women throughout labour, delivery, and the early days of parenthood. Visiting times are designed to balance privacy, recovery, and vital family bonding.
Key Visiting Rules:
- Nominated birth partner:
- Has 24/7 unrestricted access, including overnight stays if required.
- Must be pre-registered with ward staff and remain the same person throughout admission.
- Other visitors (friends & family):
- Allowed from 3 pm to 9 pm, daily.
- Limited to two visitors at a time, and must be over 16 unless siblings.
- Quiet hours and rest periods are enforced late evening and early morning to support mother and baby recovery.
- No visitors during ward rounds or clinical updates, except the nominated partner.
Dads, partners, and co-parents are encouraged to participate in feeding, baby care routines, and attending postnatal education sessions. The maternity team also supports calm visiting environments and may stagger access during busy times to protect new families’ privacy.
Visitors must wash hands on entry, and sick individuals should avoid visiting entirely especially when respiratory illnesses are circulating.
If the patient is moved from labour ward to a postnatal room, it’s essential to check with staff whether the visiting rules differ, as some sections follow stricter guidelines during night hours.
Neonatal Intensive Care NICU & SCBU
Lister Hospital’s Neonatal Unit, which includes the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), follows a sensitive and family-focused visiting policy. Designed to support both infant wellbeing and parental bonding, the unit provides 24-hour access for parents while ensuring strict infection control.
Visiting Rules:
- Parents (mother and father/partner):
- 24/7 unrestricted access, including overnight presence if needed.
- Allowed at all times, with staff support for bonding, feeding, and care routines.
- Siblings:
- May visit with a parent present.
- Must be healthy, and a screening may be conducted for recent illnesses.
- Other visitors (e.g. grandparents):
- Limited to two people between 2 pm – 6 pm, daily.
- Must be accompanied by a parent and approved in advance by staff.
The Neonatal Unit strongly encourages skin-to-skin contact (kangaroo care) and provides private spaces for family bonding. Parents can be part of all care decisions and are updated regularly on their baby’s condition.
Phones should be silenced, and photography is only allowed with consent. Due to the vulnerability of the infants, no visiting is allowed if anyone has symptoms of cold, flu, COVID-19, or other infectious illnesses.
The unit is located within the main maternity zone, with security-controlled access and staff support available at all times. Families should bring minimal belongings and check for any updates on unit guidelines upon arrival.
Critical Care / Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Lister Hospital’s Critical Care Unit (also known as ICU or ITU) is a high-dependency environment located in the Orange Zone, Level 4 of the Tower Block. Because of the complexity of care and vulnerability of patients, visiting here is more strictly controlled than in general wards.
Standard Visiting Hours:
- Daily from 2 pm to 7 pm
- Up to two visitors per patient at any one time
- Visiting outside these hours is only permitted in exceptional or compassionate circumstances, with agreement from the senior nurse in charge
Relatives’ Waiting Area:
- Open daily from 9 am to 7 pm
- Shared seating space with refreshments and information boards
Visitors are advised to check in at the ICU reception before entering, as each patient’s condition may affect when they can receive visitors. The ward team may occasionally pause visiting to allow for emergency treatment, clinical reviews, or rest periods.
Important guidelines include:
- Avoid visiting if unwell with any infectious symptoms
- Mobile phones should be silenced, and personal conversations kept low in volume
- Children under 12 are generally discouraged unless under special circumstances
ICU visits can be emotionally intense; staff are available to offer updates, support, and bereavement guidance if needed. In all cases, families are encouraged to call ahead and liaise with the ward clerk to ensure a smooth visit.
Lister Hospital Visiting Policies & FAQs
To ensure safety and patient wellbeing, Lister Hospital enforces a standard set of visitor policies across all departments. While ward-specific times differ, the Trust encourages respectful, planned visits with a focus on infection control, calm environments, and family inclusion.
General Visiting Guidelines
- Visitor limit: Usually 2 people at a time, with exceptions for critical care or compassionate grounds.
- Health check: Visitors must be free from cold, flu, COVID-19, or vomiting symptoms. Entry may be refused if symptoms are reported.
- Children: Allowed in some areas (e.g. paediatrics and maternity), but must be supervised and healthy.
- Face masks: Optional in most wards, but may be required in specific clinical areas or during outbreaks.
- Quiet hours: Observed in many wards after 8 pm to support patient rest and ward handovers.
- Photography: Not permitted without patient and staff permission.
What to Bring or Avoid
Visitors may bring small personal items, such as:
- Books, cards, or snacks (where appropriate)
- Comfortable clothes or toiletries for long-stay patients
- Personal devices (with headphones)
Avoid:
- Fresh flowers (restricted in some units)
- Hot food or alcohol
- Large groups or impromptu visits
For neonatal and maternity wards, speak to staff before bringing in any food, baby supplies, or gifts especially if being stored at the bedside.
How to Check Ward Details
If unsure about the correct visiting hours or rules, the best option is to contact the ward directly. Staff can advise on:
- Visitor parking
- Ward-specific visiting windows
- Patient readiness for visitors
- Special needs or accessibility queries
A full ward directory with contact numbers is available on the East & North Hertfordshire NHS Trust website.
Conclusion
Visiting a loved one at Lister Hospital can be a comforting and meaningful experience when you’re informed about the correct visiting times and policies.
From extended access in maternity and elderly care wards to carefully structured hours in acute and neonatal units, the hospital prioritises both patient recovery and family involvement.
We’ve outlined the most current, ward-specific visiting times including guidance on visitor limits, hygiene rules, and who can attend. By checking ahead and respecting these protocols, you’ll ensure your visit is both welcomed and beneficial to the patient’s wellbeing.
Visiting hours vary by ward, and exceptions may apply. Always contact the relevant department if you’re unsure.
Planning visits to nearby hospitals? Check out our guide on New QEII Hospital visiting times to stay fully informed.
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