Patients and Visitors

We are committed to providing high quality, compassionate care for people. If you would like to provide feedback about your experience at Dorset County Hospital, or raise a concern, please visit contact our Patient Experience Team.

Please help us protect our patients and minimise the spread of infection. Do not visit the hospital if you have diarrhoea or vomiting until you have been clear of symptoms for 48 hours (two days). If you are due for an appointment, please call the number on your appointment letter to rearrange your appointment.

If you are visiting someone in the hospital, find our visiting guidance here.

Hand hygiene

Washing your hands is one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from illnesses such as food poisoning, flu and coronavirus. Even if they look clean your hands still carry germs.

All our entrances, hospital wards and clinical areas have alcohol hand gel dispensers available for patients and visitors to use.

Wash your hands with soap and water:

after using the toilet, changing a nappy or handling a potty
after sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose
after contact with blood or body fluid
before and after handling raw food like meat and vegetables
before and after eating or handling food
before and after treating a cut or wound.

How to wash your hands

Wet your hands under warm running water
Apply enough soap to cover your hands
Rub your hands together vigorously
Use one hand to rub the back of the other hand and clean in between the Do the same with the other hand
Rub the back of your fingers against your palms
Rub your thumb using your other hand. Do the same with the other thumb
Rub the tips of your fingers on the palm of your other hand. Do the same with other hand
Rinse your hands under running water
Dry your hands completely with a disposable paper towel
Use the paper towel or your elbow to turn off the tap to avoid re-contaminating your hands

If you do not have immediate access to soap and water then use the alcohol hand gel dispensers.

If using alcohol gel dispensers

Apply one to two squirts of hand rub on your hands
Rub all surfaces of your hands together in a similar manner to steps 3-7 above
Do not wet your hands or wash the hand rub off. The hand rub dries in 20-30 seconds.

Taking photos and videos in the hospital

We want you to be able to use your phones and devices in hospital; it’s a great way to keep in touch with friends and family, browse the web and make use of online resources like the NHS App, but it is important that you think and check before you take a photo, video or make a call. This includes cameras, mobile phones, computers, iPads / tablets, and other devices like meta glasses.

For everyone’s privacy, when you are at the hospital as an inpatient, outpatient or visitor:

You must not take a photo of someone without permission, including staff or people in the background, e.g. ward or waiting area. Taking a photo or video would breach their right to privacy and may cause them distress.
Photographing, recording or videoing staff or other patients is not permitted without consent so please think about where you are before you make a call or video call. Make sure the person you are calling cannot see or hear the people round you – other patients, visitors or staff members.
Please do not make calls or use your phone in a way that disturbs others – loud conversations, calls on speaker, listening to music, or watching videos.
Do not to take photographs of children or vulnerable people without permission from their parents or carers.
Do not take photos of confidential information about patients or staff. Patients must contact Medical Records to view their own medical information safely.
Posting images on social media sites can help update your family and friends, but digital images are easily shared. We recommend that you take care and check the privacy settings on your social media accounts.
Do speak to the staff member responsible for the safety of the ward or area if you have any queries or see behaviour that concerns you.
You can also speak to our Patient Experience Team or Information Governance – please phone Switchboard.