I am a visitor: Visiting & Virtual Visiting

NHS Western Isles also offers a ‘Virtual Visiting’ service for hospital inpatients to enable inpatients to keep in touch with friends and family via video call.

Video calling is as convenient as a phone call, with the added value of face to face communication. The service is available seven days a week between 2pm and 4pm (though availability may be extended depending on need).

A Virtual Visiting Coordinator will be the contact for relatives, and will schedule the virtual visits. The call will be made by the relative to the patient using NHS Western Isles ipads.

To arrange a virtual visit, click here.

Please:

• use the hand gel when entering and leaving the ward
• respect other patients and keep noise to a minimum
• no more than two visitors at the bedside and only bring young children if you really need to
• help us minimise infection – don’t visit if you are unwell, use the chairs and please don’t sit on a patient’s bed
• do not use mobile telephones, cameras etc in patient areas
• only bring in essential items for patients to keep areas clutter free
• do not bring in flowers for patients (but fruit, chocolate and biscuits are fine)
• do not use physical violence, verbal aggression or threatening behaviour towards staff as this will not be tolerated
• your relative or friend may have given consent for you to ask questions about their condition or treatment – if you wish to speak to a member of staff please ask at the start of your visit so this can be arranged.
• you may be required to leave the ward to allow for domestic staff to carry out essential cleaning to ensure the ward remains clean and to reduce any risk of infection, you will be asked to leave and given an approximate time when you will be able to return.
• you may be required to leave the ward to allow clinicians to carry out clinical tasks or reablement work with patients, you will be asked to leave and given an approximate time when you will be able to return.

• create a clean, calm and restful environment for our patients
• provide you with flexible visiting times where possible
• keep mealtimes free from interruptions so we can help patients who need it
• we will wash our hands between patients and provide gel dispensers at the entrance to every ward, bay and bedside
• protect the privacy and dignity of all patients. Ensuring men and women don’t share their accommodation (this does not apply to short term accommodation within the Acute assessment Unit)
• be welcoming and polite
• keep your named personal contact well informed
• our Senior Charge Nurses will respond as quickly as possible to any concerns you raise

Patients and their visitors are asked to please respect the privacy of other patients and their families.

On 5th September 2022, it became an offence for anyone to smoke, or knowingly permit smoking, within 15 metres of a hospital building.  This includes awnings, canopies or any other over hanging structure.  In addition, no smoking applies to all other NHS Western Isles premises, buildings and grounds.  This includes the use of E-cigarettes. 

If appropriate, when patients are admitted to hospital a Quit Your Way Hebrides Smoking Cessation Advisor can visit them and chat through the best options to help them manage. If patients or their visitors require this service please ask the patient’s named nurse to arrange it for you.