General information

Please be aware that some patients, particularly those who have had a general anaesthetic or an invasive procedure, may be suffering from pain, drowsiness, disorientation, fatigue, nausea or an aversion to bright light. Please check with a member of staff on the patient’s ward if you are in any doubt about whether your visit would be welcomed.

Number of visitors
Rest is often an essential part of our patients’ recovery. We ask that no more than two people visit a patient at any one time.

Your behaviour
We ask visitors to remain quiet on the wards to avoid disturbing other patients.

During your visit you are likely to meet a variety of hospital staff with a wide range of professional, social and cultural backgrounds. We expect our staff to treat you and our patients with courtesy, consideration and without discrimination. Please treat our staff in the same way.

Children
Children are welcome provided they are quiet and do not disturb other patients, with the exception of visits to our maternity wards where only the siblings of the baby are allowed into the ward. Children should be accompanied at all times by a responsible adult.

Mobile phones
Please switch off your mobile phone before you enter a ward. Mobiles can cause disturbance to some hospital equipment, and loud ringtones or conversations can disturb patients.

Gifts
Patients often welcome gifts, but please bear the following in mind:
• Some patients may have restrictions on what they can eat or drink. You can check with a member of staff on their ward
• You are not permitted to bring alcohol as a gift
• Patients only have small, non-locking storage available to store their possessions, so please do not bring valuable gifts

Flowers
You are not allowed to bring flowers to patients in some wards, so please check with a member of staff before you do so. Please do not bring potted plants.

Smoking
Smoking is not permitted at any of our hospitals or grounds.

Accommodation
Visitors and outpatients at Hammersmith Hospital can book into a purpose-built facility next to the hospital, subject to availability. The accommodation includes a bathroom and a kitchenette. For more information please telephone 020 3313 4873/3026, email accommodation@imperial.nhs.uk or download an information leaflet (PDF, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, free download).

A list of local hotels and guesthouses is also available.

Main contact numbers
• Charing Cross Hospital: 020 3311 1234
• Hammersmith Hospital: 020 3313 1000
• Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital: 020 3313 1111
• St Mary’s Hospital: 020 3312 6666
• Western Eye Hospital: 020 3312 6666