Acute Hospitals
Information for patients admitted to hospitalVisiting
There is a reception help desk situated at the main entrance to each hospital.
Visiting is allowed daily on all wards. NHSL supports John’s campaign and we, therefore, encourage flexible visiting times.
Please contact the Ward to confirm visiting times, or visit the NHS Lanarkshire website: www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/hospitals/ We ask that you keep visitor numbers to two per bed.
There may be times when it is not possible for you to visit or when you may be asked to keep your visit short. This is because it is important that patients do not get over-tired and their treatment is not disrupted. Visiting and unnecessary treatments are discouraged during mealtimes to make sure patients have time to eat their meal and staff are available to help. Unless a decision has been made that your help would support patients and meal times.
If you need to visit outwith the ward’s normal visiting times, please speak with the nurse in charge.
Please ask the nurse in charge of the ward whether children may visit and keep children as quiet as possible while they are in the wards.
Carer information
We may ask you to complete a “getting to know you” form. This will help us to keep in touch with you about the person you care for while they are in hospital. Please complete this form and pass it to a member of the ward staff.
If you are going to be caring for a patient following their discharge from hospital, please speak to the nurse in charge for further information and support.
Carer Information packs are available from all wards.
Gifts to patients
Flowers are not allowed in Adult Critical Care or Coronary Care. Please check with the nursing staff before leaving flowers, food, sweets or soft drinks with patients. They may be on a restricted or special diet. Food for patients cannot be stored in the ward fridge or reheated in the microwave.
Guide/Hearing Dogs
Guide/hearing dogs are permitted within the hospital building.
Car Parking
Hairmyres: The main visitor car park faces the main entrance to the hospital.
Monklands: The visitor car parks are situated around the hospital site. These can be reached by the first, second, third or fourth turning from the main road. There is also a drop off and pick-up area at the main entrance.
Wishaw: The visitor car park faces you as you come in the main entrance. It is in front of the main building. Disabled parking facilities are available.
We urge visitors to follow the road traffic signs and not to park in prohibited areas. Failure to comply with this request may restrict access to wards by hospital vehicles and ambulances.
Owners of vehicles may be prosecuted if they cause an obstruction or park in prohibited areas.
Telephone Enquiries
The telephone number for:
- Hairmyres is 01355 585000
- Monklands is 01236 748748
- Wishaw is 01698 361100
If telephoning to find out about a patient, please tell the operator the ward number or department. Each ward has a direct dial telephone number; please ask the ward staff for the ward or department direct dial telephone number.
We would be grateful if calls were kept to a minimum and made only by the closest relative or on his/her behalf.
Only limited information is given to close relatives over the telephone. If further information is required, you have to come to the hospital to see either the nursing staff or a doctor.
Postal arrangements
Letters and cards are taken to each ward as soon as possible after delivery.
Please address all letters as follows:
- Patient’s full name
Ward number, University Hospital Hairmyres
Eaglesham Road, East Kilbride G75 8RG - Patient’s full name
Ward number, University Hospital Monklands
Monkscourt Avenue, Airdrie ML6 0JS - Patient’s full name
Ward number, University Hospital Wishaw
50 Netherton Street, Wishaw ML2 ODP
Information for visitors
Preventing infections
It is important that you keep your relatives, friends and yourself safe before you visit someone in the hospital. You can do this by:
- Staying away from hospital if you have vomiting, diarrhoea, a cold or flu until you feel better
- Washing and drying your hands before you visit a hospital, particularly after using the toilet and using the hand sanitizer provided at the ward door or bedside
- Asking staff for advice before you bring food or drink into hospital for someone you are visiting
- Not sitting on patients’ beds, touching drips, dressings and other equipment
A range of useful information leaflets are available in the wards such as MRSA, Clostridium difficile, Norovirus, Food and Drink in Hospital and Laundering Patients Clothes at Home. Ask a member of staff for a leaflet to take away with you.
Revised No Smoking Policy
Smoking or use of electronic cigarettes is not allowed at or around doorways or anywhere on hospital grounds.
You can be treated for Nicotine Withdrawal whilst in hospital. Stopping smoking whilst in hospital can have health benefits for you; this could mean less time in hospital and fewer risks of complications.
If you wish to quit, ask for a referral to the Stop Smoking Nurse within the hospital or if you plan to quit before admission, contact us on Tel No: 0300 3030 242 or text ‘Advice’ to 81066 or visit www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/quit-your-way to find your nearest service. The Stop Smoking Service is Free, Friendly and has helped over 17,000* people quit.
Medicines
Any medicines the patient has been given before coming into the hospital should be given to the nurse in charge so that they may be noted. Please do not leave medicines with the patient.
Legal Documents
You must check with medical staff before a patient signs any document. It is also helpful to advise the nurse in charge of any legal business.
Money and valuables
Please do not leave large amounts of money or valuables with patients, as staff cannot be responsible for them. Similarly, such items should not be removed from patients without informing the nursing staff.
Facilities
The following are available in or around the main entrance of the hospital:
- Toilets
- Baby changing facilities
- Newsagent
- Telephones
- Cash dispenser machine
If consuming drinks outwith these areas, please ensure they are carried in appropriately sealed containers.
Hairmyres
The restaurant is open:
Monday – Sunday: 8.00am – 7.00pm
The coffee bar is open:
Monday – Friday: 8.30am – 8.00pm
Saturday – Sunday: 12.30pm – 4.30pm
Monklands
The RVS teabar is open:
Monday – Friday: 8.00am – 7.30pm
Saturday – Sunday: 12.00pm – 7.00pm
The Choices Restaurant is located on the lower ground level of the surgical tower.
Monday – Friday: 8.00am – 6.30pm
Saturday – Sunday: 8.00am – 2.00pm
Wishaw
The cafeteria is open:
Monday – Friday: 8.00am – 8.00pm
The cafe bar is open:
Monday – Sunday: 7.30am – 7.30pm
Further health information
NHS inform provides health information about illnesses, tests, treatments, operations and services for the public in Scotland.
- www.nhsinform.co.uk
- Telephone: 0800 22 44 88
Your Feedback – comments, concerns and complaints
NHS Lanarkshire is committed to improving the service it provides to patients and their families. We therefore want to hear from you about your experience. If you would like to tell us about this please visit our feedback page.
