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This service will update as changes and closures take place. You must check back here if you need to use a service again.

Please enter your postcode, select the age of the patient and type of service, then click GO to find your A&E or Minor Injury Service. You may need to zoom in our out on the map.

Following a review by the local Incident Management Team at the QEUH, and further review by a group of senior medical, nursing and infection prevention and control staff, older peoples’ wards in Gartnavel General Hospital will move to one named visitor per patient on Monday 29 November.

Patients who do not have COVID-19 will be able to choose one named visitor.

The revision to hospital visiting arrangements applies to all older peoples’ wards in Gartnavel General Hospital (namely 2A, 4C, 8A and 8C).

Visiting arrangements in the rest of Gartnavel General Hospital will continue to be as follows:

View our One Named Visitor FAQs.

Please speak to ward staff to find out more about the current visiting arrangements in that ward, and to arrange a visit if possible.

Visit the list of ward telephone numbers within Gartnavel General Hospital.

Following a review by the local Incident Management Team at the QEUH, and further review by a group of senior medical, nursing and infection prevention and control staff, the Langlands Unit moved to one named visitor per patient on Monday 29 November.

Patients who do not have COVID-19 will be able to choose one named visitor.

The revision to hospital visiting arrangements applies to all wards in the Langlands Unit, with the exceptions of:

Further guidance on visiting wards which are ‘one named visitor’ is available here.

Please speak to ward staff to find out more about the current visiting arrangements in that ward, and to arrange a visit if possible. Ward telephone numbers are available here.

Who can visit?

Only one family member or friend, chosen by the patient or their guardian, carer or power of attorney can visit at present.

Visiting arrangements will be organised as flexibly as possible to ensure the safety of patients, family and staff.

There may be situations where staff may have to ask you to step outside the ward temporarily or to leave the ward during your visit. We will always explain when this is necessary. Your support and understanding when this is necessary is appreciated to ensure everyone’s safety and privacy.

Can the person chosen to visit be changed?

The person providing support can be changed if required. Examples of when this may happen include:

  • if a person in hospital needs support from a different person for a variety of reasons, or
  • if the person who has been providing support becomes unwell, needs a rest or is unable to visit for some other reason.

However, changing the named person multiple times in a day or perhaps daily would not be expected in normal circumstances.

How do I arrange a visit?

If you are chosen to visit, please contact the ward to arrange a visit in advance. It is important that you do not come to the ward without an appointment – we may need to ask you to leave and come back at another time.

Telephone numbers for wards and departments are listed on each hospital page, or alternatively contact the hospital switchboard.

Why is it important to contact the ward in advance to make an appointment to visit?

It is important that we continue to limit the number of people present in the ward at any one time. To help manage this there are maximum numbers of people permitted in a room at any one time to ensure we can all follow physical distancing rules.

Can other people visit with me?

We understand in some cases, the family member chosen to visit may need to be accompanied by another person, for example a child visiting a parent or sibling, or a frail elderly person who cannot attend the hospital independently. The presence of this additional person will be facilitated – ward staff will explain how this will be supported.

Why might I not be able to visit?

COVID-19 is still with us and can be transmitted easily. To reduce risks careful attention to infection prevention and control measures around family support still need to be maintained.
There are many vulnerable patients in our hospital wards and in particular, some types of illness and types of treatments where we need to proceed with extreme caution, ensure a risk assessment is undertaken appropriately, and reassessed as and when circumstances change.

If a visit is not possible, we will provide you with an explanation why this is necessary. We will keep this under review where possible and will reassess as circumstances change.

If visiting is further restricted, are there situations when a visit is possible?

If there is a need to further restrict visiting to a particular ward or area for example due to an outbreak of COVID-19 or rapidly increasing community transmission, essential visits will continue. Further information about essential visits is available on the NHSGGC website.

What if I or another family and friends cannot visit?

If you cannot visit in person, please use technology such as social media and phone calls to stay in touch. If the person you want to speak to does not have access to their own phone or tablet, please access our Person Centred Virtual Visiting service.

All wards have iPads specially set up to enable ‘virtual visits’ (video call) allowing patients to see and talk to the people who matter to them using FaceTime, Skype or Zoom.

What do I need to do before I visit?

To help keep everyone safe, we strongly recommend that all visitors undertake voluntary lateral flow testing prior to visiting. It is then recommended you undertake the test twice per week for as long as you are the named visitor.

This is optional – if you do not wish to have a test or are not able to test this will not be an obstacle to a visit.

Information on how to order Lateral Flow Tests is on the Scottish Government’s website.

What will happen when I arrive at the ward?

On your arrival at the ward and every time you visit the ward, staff will check that you are well and ask you some questions about your health to make sure it is safe for you to visit. They will ask you the following questions:

  • Are you feeling unwell?
  • Do you have new/continuous cough?
  • Have you had any sickness or diarrhoea within the last 48 hours?
  • Have you noticed a change in your temperature?
  • Have you noticed a change in your normal sense of taste or smell?
  • Are you self-isolating because you have been in contact with anyone suspected as having, or has tested positive for COVID-19?

You will not be allowed to visit if you do not pass this safety check.

It is essential you do not visit if you have a persistent cough, loss of taste or smell, flu like symptoms or fever.

It’s also important that you do not visit if you have symptoms of other respiratory infections, including: a runny nose, congestion in your nose or lungs, a sore throat, headache, cough, repeated sneezing, breathlessness, wheezing or chest tightness, muscle aches, tiredness, or shortness of breath.

What must I do when I visit?

It is important for your safety and for the safety of patients and staff that you do the following:

  • Face covering/mask must be worn at all times, unless there is a reason why you cannot.
  • Avoid communal gatherings in public areas of the hospital. Take the stairs if possible to avoid congregating in lift lobbies. Your movement around other areas of the hospital must be limited as much as is reasonably possible
  • Clean your hands using the hand sanitiser before and after you leave the ward or department and when you touch anything.
  • Two metres distance should be maintained from others.
  • Self-isolate – You MUST NOT attend if you are unwell, if you are a household contact or have otherwise been informed that you are a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19 and have been advised to self-isolate or have to self-isolate for another reason.

Respiratory hygiene also remains important, covering the nose and mouth with a disposable tissue when sneezing, coughing, wiping or blowing the nose. These should be disposed of immediately in the bin and hand washing performed immediately afterwards.

Will I need to use any personal protective equipment (PPE) during the visit?

There might be situations where staff will need to ask you to use PPE – such as a face mask, apron, gloves etc. If this is required, the staff will help you to put this on correctly and to dispose of it before you leave.

If you are a family member or carer for the person, you are visiting and helping to support aspects of their care such as supporting nutritional intake at meal times, or other personal care you will be provided with necessary PPE to undertake this activity.

Will I be able to touch my relative or friend during the visit?

You are able to touch your relative or friend (for example, hold their hand, hug or kiss them) – however, please remember that keeping a 2 metre distance wherever possible will reduce the chances of COVID-19 or other respiratory viruses spreading to you, your relative or friend, other patients, and staff.

Can I go out of the ward for a walk with my relative or friend if able?

Please check with the ward staff first. It may be possible to go a walk to the main communal areas of the hospital or hospital grounds as long as social distancing measures and the wearing of a face covering is adhered to.

Will I be able to use the facilities in the hospital?

Retail outlets and hospital dining facilities are open on all our hospital sites. If using any of these facilities, you must make sure you take all the necessary safety measures required – wear you face mask, maintain a 2 metre social distance, provide your contact details for Trace and Protect, apply hand sanitiser on entry and when leaving the facility etc.

Where possible you should use the toilet facilities provided for members of the public. It is preferred that you do not use patient and staff toilets, unless there is no other option available.

What are the visiting arrangements in the rest of NHSGGC?

The majority of wards across NHSGGC have a person centred approach to visiting, meaning that patients are able to have:

  • Support in hospital from the people who matter to them. This no longer needs to be limited to the same two people visiting, however we may sometimes need to limit the numbers of family members who can visit at any one time, so physical distancing rules can be followed.
  • Conversations with staff and family on admission and throughout the hospital stay to discuss who they would like to visit and when.
  • Family support at times when patients wish the presence, help and support of the people who matter to them. For example at mealtimes, rehabilitation sessions, discharge planning and during multidisciplinary team conversations.

Due to changes in COVID-19 community prevalence and hospital admissions, there may sometimes be variation to this approach. Updates and changes will be published on this page and also on our Hospital visiting pages as the occur.

The new National Redirection Policy ensures patients receive care in the most appropriate setting, while helping to improve waiting times in our Emergency Departments (A&E) and reducing pressures on staff.

If your health problem could be better managed, in a different way, you will be advised to consider another pathway, which allows you to receive expert care in a timely manner. By being ensuring everyone receives the Right Care in the Right Place, we can continue to care for higher priority patients in our Emergency Departments.

You can get health and medical advice from:

  • Call NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88
  • Call NHS 24 on 111
  • Any pharmacist
  • Your GP surgery (you can ask to speak to a nurse or doctor)
  • Minor injuries unit.

Our Emergency Departments (A&E) are particularly busy at the moment, with staff continuing to work against the added pressures of COVID-19, please remember Emergency Departments (A&E) are for the treatment of life-threatening and urgent conditions only.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Person Centred Visiting is in place across NHSGGC, including maternity antenatal, postnatal, and ultrasound appointments. In most circumstances we ask that there are no more than 2 visitors at a time (not including children) at the bedside. These visitors can change.

If possible, please arrange childcare for ultrasound appointments. If you need to discuss this, please phone the number in your ultrasound appointment letter.

Wards with an outbreak of infection

Essential visiting may be temporarily introduced in wards where an outbreak of infection is being managed. This is to protect patients, family members and staff until the situation is resolved.

We understand the vital support that family and friends provide and are sorry for how this will affect you.  Ward iPads are available to support people to stay in touch with friends and family virtually, for further information, please ask staff.

What is an ‘essential visit’?

The following are examples of where an ‘essential visit’ will be supported for family members: 

  • when someone is reaching the end of their life
  • if someone has dementia and needs family support
  • support for someone with a learning disability
  • a family member who has caring responsibilities
  • parents of a child in hospital
  • support during pregnancy and childbirth, including outpatient appointments, ante-natal and post-natal care
  • situations where someone is receiving life-changing information.

We will take as flexible, person-centred and compassionate approach as possible based on your individual needs. We will try to facilitate family support in any situation where it is important for family to be involved for ethical, safety or other reasons.

How will I keep in touch with my relative/friend?

We are offering ‘virtual visiting’ (video calls) for all inpatients.  

All wards have iPads specially set up to make video calls.  This lets you see and talk to the people who matter to you.

If you have your own mobile phone, tablet or laptop we can also help you to do this using your equipment if you are not able to do this yourself.

What if I have any questions?

Please do not hesitate to speak to any of the ward staff if you have any questions. We are all happy to help and thank you for your patience and understanding.

Give and Go services are running from 12.00 – 5.00pm Monday to Friday at the main entrances of Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Royal Alexandra Hospital from Thursday 17 March onwards. This is due to local temporary essential visiting restrictions which are now in place.

Our volunteer-run Give and Go service enables families and friends to safely collect personal laundry and hand in comfort items and essential belongings for their loved ones while they are in hospital and patient visiting is restricted due to COVID-19.

If you or a loved one would like to use the service, we ask that you only bring one small bag (e.g. a small rucksack or carrier bag) that is sealed with sellotape or masking tape and marked with the patient’s name, ward details and date of birth. Please try to ensure that only one person attends the hospital to hand in belongings.

Further information on the Give and Go service

What can you drop off?

We accept personal and comfort items.

You will be able to drop off essential items to our volunteers who will deliver these to the wards for your loved ones. Please ensure you observe social distancing when using this volunteer service. Many people want to bring food to their relative in hospital and we understand why this is important. Please only send small items of food that do not need to go in the fridge, or need to be reheated.

Items allowed

  • Toiletries (washbag)
  • Mobile phones, chargers, Kindle/iPad/e-readers
  • Clothing/footwear
  • Hearing aid/glasses/dentures (they must be in a protective container)
  • Snacks in original sealed package
  • Books, magazines.

Items not allowed

  • Food that requires refrigeration or reheating
  • Smoking/tobacco materials
  • Medication/drugs/alcohol
  • Money, bank cards
  • Jewellery
  • Flowers
  • Take away food
  • Balloons
  • Fans/Kettles.

Collecting laundry

If you would like to collect laundry please call the ward in advance of your visit to arrange and the volunteers will collect it from the ward when you arrive.

These web pages explain what we are doing to address discrimination and bring about better equalities in health.

We want to ensure that everyone who uses our healthcare services, or works for us, is treated fairly. This means making sure that services are working well for everyone and that people are getting information in a way they can understand.

We also report on how we are upholding the equality laws designed to protect people from unfair discrimination.

To view these reports, find out more about our work and to contact the NHSGGC Equality & Human Rights Team, see below.

The information provided here is intended to help you find out what to expect during this difficult time, as well as providing information about some of the practical arrangements you will need to consider.

Due to the pandemic, some of the usual arrangements may have changed, however, support is still available.

Bereavement Support

Macmillan Information and NHS Bereavement Centre
Coronavirus: Dealing with bereavement and grief – Cruse Bereavement Care
NHSGGC Bereavement Support for Parents, Siblings and Staff

Call: 0141 370 4747
Email: GHsupport@childbereavementuk.org

Child Bereavement UK has been commissioned by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde with funding from Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity to provide bereavement support for families bereaved of a baby or child, and training to support NHSGGC staff.

Child Bereavement UK is a national charity which supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.

What can happen when someone is dying

This leaflet will guide you through what to expect and what can happen when someone is at the end of their life.

What can happen when someone is dying (Latest English language version)

Alternative language versions (please note these are the previous version of the booklet)

What can happen when someone is dying (Arabic)

What can happen when someone is dying (Mandarin)

What can happen when someone is dying (Polish)

What can happen when someone is dying (Punjabi)

What can happen when someone is dying (Urdu)

When Someone Has Died – information for you

When someone close to you dies, you may be unsure what to do. This leaflet will help you understand:

  • What you need to do
  • How you may feel.
NHSGGC Spiritual Care and the Chaplaincy Service

An NHS Healthcare Chaplain is always on-call and ward staff can arrange for them to be paged. 

Other Local and National Services and Resources

Death Certification

Arrangements for Death Certification may have changed due to Covid-19. Local Authority websites should have the latest information from your area.

Disability information Scotland

Can offer advice on installing disability equipment, information on benefits and other services.

EQUIPU

EQUIPU is a service responsible for providing, delivering and installing a range of disability equipment supplied by health and social work services to disabled people living at home.

For further information or to arrange uplift contact:

Telephone. 0141 287 6300

Website: www.equipu.org.uk

Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief

Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief is working to make Scotland a place where there is more openness about death, dying and bereavement so that:

  • People are aware of ways to live with death, dying and bereavement
  • People feel better equipped to support each other through the difficult times that can come with death, dying and bereavement.
LifeLink

Lifelink offers a range of stress services for adults and young people in communities and schools across Glasgow City.

Living Life

Living Life is a free telephone service available to anyone over the age of 16 who is suffering from low mood, mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety.

NHS Inform

NHS Inform Bereavement area can help you find answers to your questions and guide you through the early days of your bereavement. It can also help you understand more of the experience of loss in the days that lie ahead.

Renfrewshire Bereavement Network

New grief and bereavement service for families in Renfrewshire. Visit the website for more information:

Richmond’s Hope – service to help bereaved children in Glasgow
Other Useful Websites