• There may be some circumstances where it is not safe for a patient to have a visitor; if this is the case, we will tell you why and keep it under review where possible.
• All arrangements MUST be made through the nurse in charge of the ward before visiting.
• If you are chosen to visit, please contact the ward to arrange a visit in advance. 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. A list of telephone numbers can be found for all wards and departments here.
• To help keep everyone safe, we strongly recommend that all visitors have a Voluntary Lateral Flow Test prior to visiting and then undertake this twice per week for as long as you are a named visitor. This is optional. Information on how to order Lateral Flow Tests is on the Scottish Government’s websiteor tests can be collected from COVID testing centres in the afternoon or early evening or from the asymptomatic test facilities across NHSGGC can be found here.  If you do not wish to have a test or are not able to test this will not be an obstacle to a visit.
• When visiting the hospital please do not bring additional family and friends with you unless you are a carer accompanying a family member or a parent accompanying a child.
• Children are welcome to be this visitor, but again please discuss with ward staff first, as there are times when it may not be safe to do so.

• If you wish to visit, you must speak with ward staff first to make sure it is safe for you to do so. If it is not safe, we will explain why.
• You MUST NOT attend if you are unwell or a household contact or have been otherwise 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 (e.g. travel from a country requiring quarantine)
• You must not visit if you have a persistent cough, loss of taste or smell, flu like symptoms, or fever.

• Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser when entering and leaving clinical areas 
• Wear a face covering/mask at all times, unless you are exempt for this 
• Respect physical distancing measures at all times 
• Take the stairs if possible to avoid congregating in lifts lobbies and communal areas 
• Use the public toilet facilities provided – access to toilet facilities on the ward is not permitted 

• Avoid going to the hospital canteen – if you wish to purchase food and refreshments these should be purchased from the retail outlets on the hospital site (if available) 
• 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, in the past 14 days. 

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

The ward staff will ask all visitors to provide contact details. This is normal in the current circumstances to assist Public Health, Test and Protect colleagues should there be a need to contact you. Your contact information will be used for Trace and Protect purposes only and will be securely destroyed once the information is no longer required. 

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

We recognise that eating is a social occasion and the presence of family, friends and carers can all play an important role in encouraging patients with small appetites to eat a little bit more. Please consider this when deciding the best times to visit.

Information on visiting for maternity units, or for your ultrasound or scan appointment, is available on the Information for pregnant women and their families page.

Patients in outpatient clinics should be able to have support from the people who matter to them. However, sometimes it may be necessary to limit the numbers of people who can be present in outpatient clinics at any one time, so physical distancing rules can be followed. If you or someone you know needs support at an outpatient appointment, if possible please contact us using the details in your appointment letter to arrange this.

Virtual Visiting

If you cannot visit in person, please use technology such as social media and phone calls to stay in touch. If you would like to arrange a 'virtual visit' (video call) with a friend or family member in one of our hospitals please contact the ward directly or use the form available here and we will arrange with the ward for a call to be organised.

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. Further information about this service is available here.