Visiting
In this section:
- Applying to Visit
- Booking a Visit
- Security Arrangements
- In-Person Visiting
- Virtual Visiting
- Travelling to the Hospital
- Visiting Feedback
- On Arrival
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.
Please let us know if there is anything we need to be aware of to ensure that you have a positive visiting experience, e.g. ability issues, barriers to communication, and anything else that would make your visit more comfortable.
Patient Visitor Information Pack (May 2021)
Once your application to visit has been approved, you can request a visit by contacting the centralised booking team on 01555 842021 or email TSH.securityinformation@nhs.scot. All requests must be with us by 4.30pm on a Thursday for visits during the following week.
All visit requests are processed by the Person Centred Improvement Team, responsible for co-ordinating visits. The visiting timetable is finalised on a Friday for the following week. Visit confirmation letters are sent by email at that time.
We understand that there are occasions where plans can change at short notice. We are happy to consider requests made after the deadline and will accommodate these where we can.
Please do let us know if you need to cancel your visit. Email TSH.PersonCentredImprovementTeam@nhs.scot or telephone 01555 842054.
All visitors must arrive 15 minutes prior to the visiting time and adhere to security procedures which are outlined in the Official Visitors section.
On your first visit, please remember to bring photographic identification with you. When this identification has been checked, Reception staff will then take your photograph for your visitor pass. This pass must be displayed on your person at all times, and returned to the Visitors' Reception Area at the end of your visit.
Please be aware that CCTV is in operation throughout the Hospital including the car park areas.
Adult Visits
Adult visits take place in the Family Centre unless there is a specific need for the visit to be facilitated in the ward.
The maximum number of visitors per patient at any time is two. However there may be occassions where this number is increased by prior arrangement.
Child Visits
Ongoing contact with children, when it is considered to be in the best interests of the child,is a priority for The State Hospital.
Prior to any child being considered for visiting, a Child Contact Application Form must be completed. This form can be obtained from the patient's Social Worker. Forms are also available from Social Work admin (tel 01555 842146) and the Security Department (tel 01555 842021).
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.
Once the application for the child to visit has been approved, you can request a visit by contacting the centralised booking team on 01555 842021 or email TSH.securityinformation@nhs.scot. All requests must be with us by 4.30pm on a Thursday for visits during the following week.
Child Contact (patient visitor information - Social Work) (November 2018)
Due to the remote location of the Hospital, a virtual visiting facility is available to complement in-person visiting.
State Hospital Video Visiting Guidance for Visitors (22 April 2020)
We welcome patient visitors to the Hospital and appreciate that many travel a long distance to spend time with the patient. The Person Centred Improvement Team is happy to discuss tailored travel arrangements to support individual need - email TSH.PersonCentredImprovementTeam@nhs.scot or telephone 01555 842054.
Supporting Visitor Travel Policy and Protocol (June 2021)
We are always open to suggestions and ideas to help improve your visit experience. If you have any suggestions as to how we could do this, please contact the Person Centred Improvement Team - email TSH.PersonCentredImprovementTeam@nhs.scot or telephone 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 subsequently feel the matter has not been resolved, please contact the Person Centred Improvement Team - email TSH.PersonCentredImprovementTeam@nhs.scot or telephone 01555 842054.
If your issue remains unresolved, you are encouraged to contact the Complaints Officer
The Hospital provides ample free car parking for visitors. Accessible spaces should only be used by Blue Badge holders. The Hospital operates a no-smoking policy which extends to the car park areas.
When parked, please proceed to the Visitors’ Reception Area through the main Hospital entrance.