Patient Visitors - Visits in person commenced on Monday, 26 April 2021 however limited visiting capacity is available due to the restrictions in place to mitigate the risk of Covid-19. Please contact the Person Centred Improvement Team on 01555 842054 who will triage your call and redirect as relevant.
Video visiting is taking place in line with State Hospital Video Visiting Guidance for Visitors (22 April 2020)
. This outlines the process for the safe use of video visiting facilities.
Please direct any queries relating to visiting to the Person Centred Improvement Team on 01555 842054 who will triage your call and redirect as relevant.
Visiting
"In response to feedback, we are committed to ensuring your visiting experience continues to be developed."
In this section:
- Applying to Visit
- Security Arrangements
- Child Visiting
- Visiting Information
- Parking
- On Arrival
- Infection Control
To visit your relative or friend, you must submit a Patient Visitor Application Form, stating your relationship and reasons for wishing to visit. This form must be returned to the Security Department, The State Hospital, Carstairs, Lanark ML 11 8RP. For information, the Security Department can be contacted on 01555 842021. The form is then forwarded to the relevant Clinical Team to authorise your visit. This allows us to keep a list of approved visitors and helps maintain a safe and secure environment.
Following your application, we will write to you as soon as possible to let you know the outcome. Visiting patients newly admitted to the Hospital is restricted to next-of-kin and close relatives only. We recognise the importance of patients' maintaining contact with family and friends and only deny access to the Hospital in very exceptional circumstances.
An authorised pass will be produced with your photo on it when you first visit.
We do understand that there may be times when you need to arrange a visit quickly. If this is the case, all you need to do is phone the patient’s ward and the Nurse in Charge of the ward will be able to make the necessary arrangements.
Please advise of any special needs that we may need to know about.
All visitors must adhere to security procedures. These are outlined in the Official Visitors section.
We wish to support visits and ongoing contact with children, when it is considered to be in the best interests of the child.
Prior to any child being considered for visiting, a Child Contact Application Form must be completed in the first instance. This form can be obtained from the patient's Social Worker. Forms are also available from Social Work admin (tel 01555 842146), the Security Department (tel 01555 842021), the Visitors' Reception Area and dedicated Family Centre.
The completed Child Contact Applicaton Form must be returned to the Social Work Department at The State Hospital. Upon receipt, the patient's Social Worker will complete an assessment with a view to ensuring that the visit is in the child's best interest and then make a recommendation to the Clinical Team.
Under no circumstances will children who have not been approved be permitted entry to The State Hospital.
Upon approval, bookings for child visits should be made by contacting the Security Department (tel 01555 842021). A minimum of 72 hours (three days) notice is required however seven days notice is preferable.
Child Contact (patient visitor information - Social Work) (November 2018)
Adult visits take place in the ward every day between 2pm and 4pm. All approved family visits (involving children under the age of 16) take place in a separate building called the Family Centre on a Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 4pm.
We appreciate the need for flexibility therefore if these times are unsuitable, you should contact the ward to discuss your individual needs. If the ward is unable to accommodate your request to visit out with these times, you should contact the Person Centred Improvement Team on 01555 842054.
All visits needs to be booked in advance. The recommended maximum number of visitors per patient at any time is two.
The Botanic House within the Skye Centre is available for visits on the first and second Wednesday of every month between 2pm and 4pm.
A patient visitor transport service to and from The State Hospital is available from Glasgow on set days. For further information about travelling from other areas, please contact the Person Centred Improvement Team on 01555 842054.
We will always try to ensure that your visit is a positive experience, however should you have any issues, please raise them at the time. In the first instance, please contact the Nurse in Charge who will endeavour to resolve the issue quickly. If you wish to discuss the situation further, please contact the Person Centred Improvement Team on 01555 842054. The Complaints Officer can be contacted where you feel the matter remains unresolved.
We are always open to suggestions and ideas to help improve the visit experience. If you have any suggestions as to how we could do this, please contact the Person Centred Improvement Team on 01555 842054.
Patient Visitor Information Pack (May 2021)
Supporting Visitor Travel Policy and Protocol 2018
The Hospital provides ample free car parking for visitors. Please be aware that the Hospital operates a no-smoking policy with extends to the car park areas.
On arrival, you should report to the Visitors’ Reception Area where staff will assist you with your visit.
Before you can enter the Hospital, you will need to have your photograph taken for security purposes. You will then be issued with a visitor pass which must be displayed on your person at all times and returned to the Visitors' Reception Area at the end of your visit.
Please remember to bring photographic identification with you on your first visit.
Top Five Tips to Prevent Infection - Visitor Information