Our visiting times are open and we ask visitors to respect meal times and busy ward round times which generally occur in the mornings. We know there are occasions when people want to visit outside hospital opening hours, please speak to the nurse in charge if you need to visit at other times to arrange suitable access.
The Balfour Visitors Guide
The Board is committed to creating a culture where all staff, patients and visitors are treated with dignity and respect. We recognise the importance of visiting family and friends while they are in hospital and welcome you to do so. We would like to highlight the following which will help us to make visiting the hospital better for everyone. In order to minimise risks to patients and ensure good patient care we may need to ask you to leave the patient areas during visiting times to enable essential activities to take place.
Please note: Visiting times are open and we ask visitors to respect meal times and busy ward round times which generally occur in the monings. We know there are occasions when people want to visit outside hospital opening hours, please speak to the nurse in charge if you need to visit a vou need to visit at other times to arrange suitable access.
Allocate one person to contact us for updates on your friend/relative. This helps us to dedicate more time to caring for patients.
If you wish to bring a child to visit, first please check with the nurse in charge as there are risks associated with children visiting. Children must be supervised at all times.
Respect the privacy and dignity of all patients – you may be asked to leave the room if necessary, for example if a patient needs attention or to enable cleaning.
Feel free to tell the staff about anything that may help us look after the patient, for example if they have any communication needs or individual concern, or you are worried about them
Avoid using mobile phones in the clinical areas. If you use a phone, put your phone on silent mode and avoid loud conversations. Please refrain from taking photographs or video recordings.
If you have any concerns relating to the care of your relative, please bring this to the attention of the Nurse in Charge.
Please Do
- Wash or gel your hands when you enter and leave the ward. It’s ok to ask a member of staff if they have cleaned their hands. Discuss with the nurse in charge if you plan to bring any food for the patient. Let us know if you have a disability or specific need that we can help you with.
- Let us know if you require breast feeding facilities.
- Respect our values and behaviours and treat our staff with respect. We have a zero tolerance for violence and aggression.
Please Do Not
- Visit if you have an infection e.g. cough, cold, rash, diarrhoea and/or vomiting. You must be symptom free for 48 hours before visiting.
- Sit or lie on the patient’s bed. Use the chairs provided and replace them after use.
- Use the patient’s toilet. Public toilets are located in the central hub area.
- Touch wounds or medical equipment.
- Use inappropriate language or behaviour which may cause offence or distress to others.
- Wear heavily soiled or dusty clothing.
- Do not smoke, we are a smoke free site.
We welcome all feedback and use it to improve our patient experience. Comment boxes are available throughout The Balfour or you can email us on ORK.feedback@nhs.scot.
The Balfour Restaurant
The Balfour restaurant is open to patients and visitors and you will find a range of food and snacks to buy. There is also a seating area should you wish to use it.
Opening Times
- Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 11.00am and 12.00pm – 3pm (please note hot food is only served between 12pm and 1.45pm)
- Saturday/Sunday/Public Holidays: 9.30am – 11.00am and 12.00pm – 1.30pm (please note hot food is only served between 12pm and 1.30pm)
Vending machines are also available with a range of food and drinks outside the breakfast and lunch opening times.
Smoke Free Site Policy
Smoking tobacco and the use of vaping products (also known as vapes, electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes) is not permitted on premises or grounds owned or leased by NHS Orkney. To avoid nicotine cravings whilst visiting NHS Orkney premises please bring a Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) with you or ask your healthcare professional about this when attending.
You can find our Smoke Free Site Policy on the link here.
For free access to nicotine replacement therapy and stop smoking support contact your local stop smoking service Quit Your Way Orkney (QYWO) – call 0800 0356 344 (local freephone) or email ork.quityourway@nhs.scot. You can also find out more information on our Your Health page.
