University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust is further extending its visiting times to enable inpatients to spend more time with family and friends.

Visitors can attend bedsides between 2pm and 8pm, seven days a week at University Hospital, Coventry and the Hospital of St Cross, Rugby from Wednesday 23rd November 2022.

A maximum number of two people can visit for up to one hour at a time to provide greater flexibility for visitors and further improve the patient experience.

The updated arrangements, which replace visiting times of 6pm to 8pm from Monday to Friday and 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm at weekends, come following consultation with patient partners on the most effective and beneficial approach

Visitors are asked to continue wearing face masks at all times in clinical areas to help stop the spread of infections and keep everyone safe.

Tracey Brigstock, Chief Nursing Officer at UHCW NHS Trust said: “We are delighted to be able to extend our visiting times across our two hospital sites.

“There’s nothing like a visit from a loved one to give our patients, as well as their friends and families, a boost during difficult times.

“We would like to thank everyone for continuing to follow our infection prevention guidance – a big factor in being able to increase the flexibility of visiting hours.”

Some exceptions do apply to the new look visiting hours in areas where we are caring for vulnerable patients. For more detail on the exceptions, please visit uhcw.nhs.uk/visiting.

All arrangements and policies at UHCW remain under constant review to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

Outside of visiting hours, patients can be contacted by loved ones through the Trust’s Thinking of You service or personal communication devices. Alternatively, wards and other patient areas can be contacted directly.

Visitors are asked not to attend hospital if they or a member of their household feels unwell, have Covid-19 symptoms or a Covid-19 positive test result.