Caring for Others: Siblings, Children and Older Relatives · Lesson 7 of 8 · 10 min
Visiting someone who is ill or in hospital
Visiting a relative or friend in hospital is a strong tradition in GCC families and a real comfort to patients. A good visit is short, clean, kind and follows the ward's rules.
Before you go
- The NHS says most hospitals set visiting times, which can differ between wards, so check first. If you cannot come at those times, ask ward staff.
- Visitors are usually limited to about 2 people at a time, so large families may need to take turns (NHS).
- Some wards restrict children visiting; Guy's and St Thomas', for example, says children shouldn't visit adult wards except in exceptional circumstances. Check with the ward before bringing younger siblings.
- Do not visit if you have a cough, cold, diarrhoea, vomiting or another infection (NHS). A phone call or voice note is kinder than spreading an illness to someone who is already unwell.
- Message the patient or family first to ask whether they feel up to a visit.
Hygiene on the ward
- Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol hand rub when entering and leaving the patient's room (NHS).
- Don't sit on the bed or put your feet on it (NHS).
- Don't touch wounds, drips or medical equipment, and don't use the patient's toilet or toiletries (NHS).
- Follow any signs about face coverings or extra precautions; they are there to protect patients. Some hospitals use a traffic-light system and ward staff tell you when a mask is needed (RJAH).
- Guy's and St Thomas' asks visitors not to eat or drink at the bedside, and many wards have protected mealtimes when visitors are asked to step out.
- Set your phone to silent before entering the ward (Guy's and St Thomas').
Gifts and food
- The NHS notes fruit, books and magazines are commonly welcomed, but don't clutter the bed area.
- Many hospitals don't allow flowers on wards, so check before bringing them (NHS).
- Some foods may not be allowed, especially if the patient is on a special diet, so check with the ward before bringing home-cooked dishes (NHS).
- Bring only what fits neatly in the bedside locker (RJAH). Thoughtful small gifts: a phone charger with a long cable, a puzzle book, a family photo or a handwritten card.
What to say, and what not to
- Keep visits short unless the patient asks you to stay. Illness is tiring.
- Open simply: 'It's good to see you. How are you feeling today?' Then listen more than you talk.
- Avoid comparing illnesses or telling stories of people who had the same condition.
- Bring a little normal life: news from school, a funny story, greetings from friends.
- Respect privacy: leave the room when staff need to examine the patient, and never post photos of them without permission. Hospitals may shorten visits to protect all patients' privacy, and ward staff can share only limited information by phone (Guy's and St Thomas').
After the visit
- Clean your hands again as you leave (NHS).
- Send a short message later saying you enjoyed seeing them.
- Offer practical help to the family: shopping, school runs for younger siblings, or bringing clothes from home.
Practise in real life
Tick each one off when you have done it.
- Find the visiting information page of a hospital near you and note its visiting hours and rules on flowers and children.
- Write three kind, simple opening lines you could use when visiting someone who is ill.
- Make a small 'hospital visit' kit: hand gel, a long phone cable and a puzzle book.
Remember
- Check visiting times and limits before you go.
- Stay away if you are unwell, even with a cold.
- Clean your hands on the way in and out; don't sit on the bed.
- Check before bringing flowers or food.
- Keep visits short and listen more than you talk.
Note: Hospital rules vary by country, hospital and ward. The NHS guidance here is UK-based; we could not verify a single official UAE policy, so always check the hospital's own website or ask ward staff. Etiquette tips about conversation are general good practice rather than sourced rules.
Check yourself
1. You have a heavy cold but want to visit your grandfather in hospital. What does the NHS advise?
2. When should you clean your hands on a hospital visit, according to the NHS?
3. Why should you check before bringing flowers?
4. Which is good hospital visiting etiquette?
5. What does Guy's and St Thomas' ask visitors to do with their phones?