Sunderland Royal Hospital Visiting Times – Hours & Rules 2025

Have you ever arrived at a hospital only to realise you missed the designated visiting hours?

Understanding Sunderland Royal Hospital visiting times is crucial for ensuring a smooth and stress-free visit to your loved ones.

With set schedules and visitor guidelines in place, knowing when and how you can visit helps provide the best support while respecting patient recovery needs.

Whether you’re visiting a family member in a general ward or need information on special unit access, staying informed about Sunderland Royal Hospital visiting times ensures a hassle-free experience.

Sunderland Royal Hospital Visiting Times

For most patients in general wards, visiting is permitted during specific hours to balance patient well-being with the need for rest and medical care. Following these Sunderland Royal Hospital visiting times ensures that visitors can provide support while maintaining a comfortable environment for all patients.

Visiting Hours for General Wards

The standard hospital visiting times for general inpatient wards are:

• Afternoon Visit: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• Evening Visit: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
• Visitor Limit: Up to two visitors per patient at a time.
• Visit Duration: Each visit should last no more than one hour to allow for patient rest.

Patient Visitation Rules

To ensure the safety and comfort of all patients, Sunderland Royal Hospital enforces the following hospital visitation restrictions:

• Health Precautions: Visitors must not attend if they have cold, flu, or stomach illness symptoms.
• Hand Hygiene: All visitors must sanitise their hands before entering and upon leaving any patient ward.
• Protective Measures: Masks may be required in specific areas where patients are at high risk.
• Special Circumstances: Exceptions can be made for end-of-life visits or critically ill patients.

It is always advisable to check with the ward reception before visiting, as guidelines may vary based on patient needs and hospital policies.

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Special Visiting Times for Specific Wards

Some hospital wards have different visiting times due to the nature of care provided. Sunderland Royal Hospital visiting times for specialised units such as the maternity ward, children’s ward, and ICU visiting hours may differ from general wards.

Maternity Ward Visiting Hours

For partners and close family members visiting new mothers, the maternity ward has extended visiting times:

• Partner Visiting Hours: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
• Other Visitors: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• Children Visitors: Only siblings of the newborn are allowed to visit, subject to staff approval.

Children’s Ward Visiting Times

For young patients admitted to the children’s ward, parents and guardians are given priority access:

• Parental Visits: Allowed 24/7 to ensure comfort and support for their child.
• Other Family Members: Allowed from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm with parental consent.
• Visitor Limit: Two visitors per child at a time.

ICU Visiting Hours

Patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) require strict monitoring, and visits are carefully managed:

• Visiting by Appointment: To reduce disruption, visitors must arrange visits in advance.
• Limited Visitors: Only one or two close family members allowed per visit.
• Short Visits Encouraged: Visits should be kept brief to avoid over-exerting the patient.
• Protective Equipment Required: Face masks and protective clothing may be necessary.

Checking with the ICU staff before visiting is recommended, as policies may change depending on the patient’s condition.

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Evening and Emergency Visits

Evening visits provide an alternative for those unable to visit during standard hours. In urgent situations, emergency visit permissions may be granted outside standard visiting hours.

Evening Visits for General Wards

• Standard evening visiting slots: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm.
• Visitors should avoid bringing young children unless permitted.
• If the ward is busy, staff may request visitors to limit their time.

Emergency Visit Exceptions

For critical situations where a patient requires immediate family presence, emergency visit approvals can be granted. These may apply in cases such as:

• End-of-life care where family members wish to spend additional time with the patient.
• Sudden deterioration of a patient’s condition requiring immediate family involvement.
• Special requests approved by the Ward Manager for compassionate reasons.

Overnight Stay Considerations

In some cases, Sunderland Royal Hospital allows overnight stays for family members under specific conditions:

• Parents of hospitalised children may stay overnight in the children’s ward.
• End-of-life care visitors may be granted special overnight arrangements.
• Overnight accommodations may be arranged in exceptional circumstances with approval.

For emergency visit requests, contacting the hospital visitor enquiries desk or ward nurse in charge is essential before arriving outside normal visiting times.

Hospital Visitor Policies at Sunderland Royal

To ensure a safe and comfortable environment for patients, staff, and visitors, Sunderland Royal Hospital follows strict hospital visitor rules.

These policies are in place to protect patient well-being, uphold hospital safety guidelines, and provide a structured approach to hospital visits.

Visitors must adhere to the following hospital policy when entering patient wards:

• Number of Visitors: A maximum of two visitors per patient at a time.
• Visit Duration: Standard visits should not exceed one hour to allow patients adequate rest.
• Age Restrictions: Children under 12 years old are generally not permitted to visit unless under exceptional circumstances.
• Health Precautions: Visitors with flu, cold, or stomach illness symptoms should not visit until fully recovered.
• Noise Control: Mobile phones should be kept on silent, and loud conversations should be avoided in patient areas.

For those visiting specialised wards such as the ICU, maternity, or paediatrics, additional policies may apply.

Infection Control and Patient Safety Guidelines

As part of patient safety guidelines, Sunderland Royal Hospital has specific infection prevention measures to protect vulnerable patients:

• Hand Hygiene: All visitors must sanitise their hands before and after entering a patient’s room.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Face masks may be required in high-risk areas such as intensive care and COVID-19 isolation units.
• Limited Contact: Visitors should avoid physical contact with medical equipment and patient belongings unless necessary.
• Food and Drink Restrictions: Bringing outside food or drinks for patients is not permitted unless approved by medical staff.

Special Considerations for End-of-Life Visits

For patients receiving end-of-life care, Sunderland Royal Hospital allows extended visitations to provide emotional support:

• Flexible Visiting Hours: Family members may be permitted to visit outside normal visiting times.
• Close Family Priority: Immediate family members are given priority for bedside visits.
• Private Family Areas: Some wards offer quiet spaces for families to gather and support their loved ones.

Requests for extended visits must be discussed with the ward manager to ensure patient and visitor comfort.

Visitor Registration and Security Procedures

For patient safety, visitor registration may be required in certain hospital areas:

• Sign-in at Reception: Some wards require visitors to register upon arrival.
• Visitor Badges: In high-security units, visitor passes may be issued.
• Restricted Access Areas: Certain medical units may have controlled entry, and only approved visitors will be allowed in.

All visitors must follow staff instructions and respect the hospital’s visitor management policies.

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Directions and Parking at Sunderland Royal Hospital

Knowing how to get to Sunderland Royal Hospital and understanding hospital visitor parking options can make your visit more convenient.

The hospital is well-connected by public transport and offers multiple parking facilities for visitors. Below is a guide to reaching the hospital and the available transport services.

How to Get to Sunderland Royal Hospital

Sunderland Royal Hospital is centrally located and accessible by public transport, private vehicles, and walking routes.

• By Car: The hospital is easily reachable via the A690 and A1231, with signposted routes leading to the main entrance.
• By Bus: Several bus routes, including those operated by Go North East and Stagecoach, stop near the hospital entrance. The nearest bus stops are located along Kayll Road and Chester Road.
• By Train: Sunderland Train Station is approximately 1.5 miles away, with taxis and bus connections available to the hospital.
• By Taxi: Designated drop-off zones are located near the main entrance and emergency department.
• By Bicycle or Walking: There are secure bicycle racks near the hospital entrance for those cycling to the facility.

Hospital Visitor Parking Options

Finding parking at Sunderland Royal Hospital is straightforward, with dedicated areas for visitors and patients. Below are the available options:

Parking Rules and Payment Options

• Pay & Display: Visitors must pay for parking upon arrival and display a valid ticket on their dashboard.
• Cash and Contactless Payments: Machines accept coins, card payments, and contactless transactions.
• Drop-Off Areas: Visitors can use short-term parking zones for quick patient drop-offs.

Public Transport Services to Sunderland Royal Hospital

For those relying on public transport services, Sunderland Royal Hospital is well-served by local providers:

• Bus Services: Routes 2, 3, 4, 12, 16, and 20 provide direct access to the hospital.
• Metro System: The nearest Tyne and Wear Metro station is Millfield, approximately a 10-minute walk from the hospital.
• Taxi Services: Local taxi companies offer door-to-door services, with designated pick-up points outside the hospital entrance.

Visitors are encouraged to check live travel updates before their journey, as routes and schedules may change.

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Contact Information for Sunderland Royal Hospital

For any queries regarding hospital visiting times, patient enquiries, or general assistance, visitors can reach out to Sunderland Royal Hospital through the following hospital contact details.

The hospital provides multiple contact options, ensuring that visitors and patients receive the necessary support.

Hospital Contact Details

Visitors and patients can use the contact numbers below to get in touch with different hospital departments:

For urgent assistance, it is always recommended to call the main switchboard, which can transfer calls to the appropriate department.

Visitor Enquiries and Assistance

For those needing additional support or guidance, visitor enquiries services are available:

• Ward-Specific Visiting Queries: Each ward has designated staff to provide information about visiting hours and patient conditions.
• Lost & Found Assistance: The reception desk handles reports of lost belongings within the hospital premises.
• Accessibility Support: Visitors with disabilities can request wheelchair assistance or parking guidance by calling in advance.
• Complaints and Feedback: The Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS) assists visitors with concerns or complaints regarding hospital services.

Alternative Ways to Contact the Hospital

In addition to phone support, Sunderland Royal Hospital offers multiple ways to get in touch:

• Email Support: General enquiries can be sent via the official hospital email.
• Hospital Website: The latest updates on hospital policies, visitor guidelines, and COVID-19 restrictions are available online.
• Social Media Updates: The hospital provides real-time announcements on service changes through its social media pages.

For non-urgent queries, it is recommended to use email or website resources, while emergency cases should always be handled via direct phone calls.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Sunderland Royal Hospital

Below are some of the most common questions regarding Sunderland Royal Hospital visiting times and policies.

1. Can I visit a patient outside of standard visiting hours?

In exceptional circumstances, visits outside of standard hospital visiting hours may be permitted. This includes end-of-life care, critical conditions, or special family requests. Visitors must contact the ward manager in advance to request approval for out-of-hours visits.

2. Are children allowed to visit patients at Sunderland Royal Hospital?

Children under 12 years old are generally not permitted to visit unless under special circumstances. Exceptions may be made for siblings visiting newborns in the maternity ward or children visiting immediate family members in critical care. It is best to check with the specific ward before bringing young visitors.

3. Is there a limit on the number of visitors per patient?

Yes, only two visitors are allowed per patient at a time in general inpatient wards. In areas such as ICU and high-dependency units, visitor numbers may be further restricted. Special arrangements can be made for palliative care and maternity patients.

4. Do I need to wear a mask while visiting Sunderland Royal Hospital?

Face masks are not mandatory in most areas but may be required in high-risk wards such as ICU, COVID-19 isolation units, and oncology departments. Masks are available at the hospital entrance for those who prefer to wear one.

Being aware of Sunderland Royal Hospital visiting times ensures that your visit is smooth, stress-free, and in line with hospital policies.

Following the correct schedule and visitor guidelines helps maintain a comfortable and safe environment for both patients and their loved ones.

If you found this information helpful, feel free to share it with others who may need it. For more details on hospital access and visiting policies, explore other useful guides on www.hospitalvisittimes.com or leave a comment with any questions.