Visiting rules are different in each hospital, and often on each ward, so check the hospital’s website or call the ward before you go. Do not visit if you have a cough, cold, diarrhoea, vomiting or another infection. If you have a concern about someone’s NHS care, the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) can help.
This guide is about NHS services in England. Services and rules are different in Scotland and Wales.
Visiting times and how many visitors
- At a time2 visitorsThere is usually a limit of 2 visitors at a time
- Most hospitals have set visiting times, and different wards often have different times.
- If you cannot visit during visiting hours, ask the member of staff in charge of the ward if you can come at another time.
- Patients get tired quickly, so there is usually a limit of 2 visitors at a time. You may need to take turns.
- There may be rules about children visiting.
- Some hospitals may ask you to wear a face covering.
Each hospital page on this site shows how to contact the hospital and how to get there.
If you are unwell, or to stop infections spreading
- A cough
- A cold
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Any other infection
Do not visit if you have a cough, cold, diarrhoea, vomiting or any other infection.
Clean your hands with soap and water or hand gel when you go in and out of the ward or a patient’s room. You can ask doctors, nurses and other staff whether they have cleaned their hands.
Gifts, food and flowers
- Small gifts like fruit, books and magazines are usually welcome, but keep the bed area tidy.
- Some food may not be allowed. Check with the ward first.
- Many hospitals do not allow flowers on wards. Check with ward staff before you bring or send flowers.
On the ward
- Sit on a chair, not on the bed, and do not put your feet on the bed.
- Do not touch wounds or equipment such as drips or catheters.
- Use the public toilets, not the patients’ toilets.
- Do not share the patient’s toiletries or equipment with other patients.
Violence or aggression towards staff, patients or visitors is not tolerated. Assault is a crime.
Getting there, parking and smoking
Hospital parking is limited and can be expensive. Use public transport if you can.
Many hospitals do not allow smoking or e-cigarettes anywhere on site. If smoking is allowed, use the outdoor smoking areas only.
How PALS can help
PALS gives free, confidential advice and support to patients, families and carers. You will find it in most hospitals. PALS can:
- answer questions about health and NHS services
- help sort out concerns or problems with NHS care, often without you needing to make a complaint
- explain the NHS complaints process and where to get independent help
- tell you about support groups outside the NHS
PALS can be especially useful when a problem is urgent, such as a concern about someone’s care while they are in hospital. To find your nearest PALS, ask at the hospital or GP surgery, call NHS 111, or search for PALS on the NHS website.
Making a complaint about NHS care
- To complain12 monthsYou should usually complain within 12 months of the event, or of finding out about it
- To hear back3 working daysYou should get an acknowledgement within 3 working days
- You can complain to the organisation that provided the care, such as the hospital, or to the body that pays for it, which is usually your local integrated care board (ICB). You cannot complain to both.
- You should usually complain within 12 months of the event, or of finding out about it. You can complain by speaking to someone, in writing or by email.
- You should get an acknowledgement, and an offer to discuss how your complaint will be handled, within 3 working days.
- A free NHS complaints advocate can help you write your complaint and go to meetings with you. Your local Healthwatch can tell you who provides this.
- If you are still unhappy at the end of the process, you can ask the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to look at your complaint.
Read more about feedback and complaints about NHS services on the NHS England website.
This guide gives general information. Each hospital sets its own visiting rules. Read more about visiting someone in hospital on the NHS website.
Sources
We checked this guide against these official pages on 22 October 2026.
- Visiting someone in hospital (NHS website)
- What is PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service)? (NHS website)
- Feedback and complaints about NHS services (NHS England)
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