21/09/2025
BEING A RESPONSIBLE HOSPITAL VISITOR
INCLUDES:
• Checking with the family, patient
or hospital before visiting to see
whether the patient feels up to
receiving visitors.
• Visiting only during visiting hours
set by the hospital.
• Not visiting if you are sick. Don't
go even if you think you might be
coming down with something or
have been exposed to a
communicable disease. What is
minor to you may not be to a sick
person vulnerable to infection, and
the patient doesn't need any more
trouble, however minor.
• Stopping at the nurses' desk on the
patient's floor to find out whether
there are any precautions you need
to take.
• Obeying all signs, such as "no
smoking," "no visitors" and
"isolation."
• At the patient's room, knocking on
a closed door and waiting for an
invitation to enter or easing your
way in gently if the door is open.
If hospital staff are with the
patient, indicate that you will
come back when they are finished.
• Identifying yourself and the
church you are representing to the
patient.
• Trying to sit where the patient can
easily see you. Never sit on the
patient's bed, and try to avoid
jarring the bed.
