We value the importance of patients’ family and friends in supporting their wellbeing. We are aiming to balance this against the need for reducing the risk of transmission of infection to our vulnerable patients.
When coming into hospital for an inpatient stay, your friend or relative can bring you in to the hospital and help you get where you are going.
A single point of contact for each inpatient helps ensure visits are co-ordinated in line with ward restrictions on visitors. It also means updates on a patient’s condition can be routed through the single point of contact. On admission, the single point of contact will be verified and recorded on our system.
If you need help on arrival, please ask a member of staff on the main reception desk, or at the security office.
Visiting times
One person is allowed to visit each patient at any one time.
- Main wards (with the exception of Palatine and Withington wards): 2pm to 3pm, 6pm to 7pm
- Palatine ward: 10am to 11am, 2pm to 3pm, 6pm – 7pm
There may be circumstances when you can visit at additional times or bring an additional person – please discuss this with the nurse in charge of your ward.
Infection prevention
Please help us protect our vulnerable patients by following our infection prevention measures during your visit:
- Anyone who is feeling unwell (including respiratory virus symptoms) should not visit.
- All visitors must wash their hands on entering and leaving a clinical area.
- Visitors must use public toilets within in the Hospital – they should not use patient toilet facilities
- Visitors must not sit on patient beds or touch medical equipment they are attached to such as drips or catheters.
- Flowers are not permitted in clinical areas.
Please note – there may be times when we need to restrict visiting on individual clinical areas (e.g. infection control concerns).
To reduce the number of people coming into the hospital and ensure patients still have their appointments, we have moved some appointments to a secure telephone or video conferencing service.
If your appointment has changed to a telephone or video conferencing consultation, your doctor or nurse will ring you at a pre-arranged time. Any of your household members are welcome to join the consultation with you, with your consent.
Clinical teams: your clinical team is here to help support you during this challenging time. Please contact them if you have any questions or concerns.
The Christie Hotline: all patients on active treatment or who have recently completed treatment can call The Christie Hotline or 0161 446 3658. The Christie Hotline is available if you have any concerns or worries at any time of the day or night.
Managing anxiety booklet: we have also created a booklet Managing anxiety about COVID-19. This is designed to help you change and develop your coping strategies during these changing times.
The cancer information centre: the cancer information centre has now re-opened and is located at the entrance to department 22. You can contact the centre via email at informationcentre@christie.nhs.uk
Wig fitting service: the wig fitting service is running online, including virtual consultations and wigs by post. Patients can also claim a discount and free shipping on hats bought through Masumi Headwear. Email the cancer information centre for further information.
Maggie's centre: the Maggie's centre has now re-opened to Christie patients and their loved ones. You can drop in while you're at The Christie for an appointment or book an individual face-to-face appointment. Telephone and web-based support is still available. You can find out more on the Maggie's centre website.
Look Good Feel Better: the Look Good Feel Better service is currently offering virtual workshops for patients struggling with the visual effects of cancer. These are available on the Look Good Feel Better website.
Free flu jabs: people at high risk from COVID-19 are also those most at risk from flu. We are urging everyone who is eligible to take up the free flu vaccine this winter.
The NHS is using new treatments for COVID-19. If you are a patient at The Christie, you might be suitable for these treatments if a PCR test confirms you have COVID-19.
These treatments need to be given quickly after you start to feel unwell. They can help to stop you from getting seriously ill from COVID-19.
If you test positive after a PCR test, you must contact your GP practice or call 111 who can make a referral.
More information about these treatments is available on the NHS website.
Patient travel expenses can be reimbursed for patients who qualify under the Healthcare Travel cost scheme. You can find out more on our Help with travel and costs page.
The Christie Charity