
We are lifting our restrictions for hospital visitors – allowing patients to welcome their loved ones once again.
Visiting will be limited to one person per patient on an appointment basis for up to one hour at a time. This should be booked directly through the hospital ward or service area.
Where patients are receiving dementia care (John’s Campaign) or end of life care, visiting measures are more open. Patients’ families and friends are asked to contact the ward to discuss these circumstances.
All visitors will need to take a lateral flow test before visiting and provide evidence of a negative result. This applies to visitors at the University Hospital of North Tees and the University Hospital of Hartlepool.
Anyone who is considering visiting but feels unwell is asked not to attend.
Visitors will still not be allowed to go into areas with patients who have COVID-19. Visiting may also be restricted in times of any infection outbreak management.
All visitors must also wear a face mask – available at reception areas – at all times and wash their hands when entering and leaving ward areas.
Pleased to welcome visitors once again
Chief nurse Lindsey Robertson said: “We know being in hospital alone can be an isolating experience for patients. And we understand how important it is to have loved ones there to offer support.

“Equally, we recognise that for families, visiting a patient can help to ease the anxiety and worry of having a loved one who is unwell.
“We are therefore pleased to welcome visitors once again so that our patients can have that love and support which is so vital.
“We ask that any visitors please contact the hospital wards directly to book a timeslot, continue to wear face masks and practice good hand hygiene in our buildings.
“Thank you for your continued patience and support.”
Book a visiting appointment
Please call 01642 617617 and ask for the ward your loved one is staying on.
Please follow all rules and advice given to you during your visit:
Visitor PPE
[Music] Title card: Visiting patients
Rebecca Denton-Smith, lead nurse for infection prevention and control: To help keep everyone safe when you’re visiting someone at our Trust please wear a face mask and sanitise your hands.
We have mask and hand gel points available throughout the Trust.
Your mask should fit snugly against your face leaving no gaps. Please keep your nose, mouth and chin covered at all times and avoid touching your mask while you’re visiting.
You can wear your own mask around the main building but you must wear a blue face mask when visiting our wards. If you don’t have your own, we have plenty available. Please just ask a member of staff.
Our staff will show you the most effective way to wash and dry your hands. Make sure you wet your hands first before using soap and take care to clean your fingertips, thumbs and wrists.
Remember these policies are in place to help protect you, your loved one and our staff.
You might be asked to wear PPE (personal protective equipment) when visiting our wards. If you’re not sure how to put it on or need assistance, please ask a member of staff to help you.
After your visit staff will show you how to remove any PPE effectively to keep you safe. Please dispose of this in the bins provided.
You will then be asked to wash your hands again before leaving the ward area.
Please make sure you continue to wear your face mask until you have left the building.
Remember to wash or sanitise your hands after disposing of your mask.