Flexible visiting trial:

1 September to 30 November 2026

Nepean ICU is trialling flexible visiting for three months. There are no fixed visiting hours during the trial. Daytime visits are preferred where possible so patients can rest overnight.

6:00 am to 8:00 pm: up to three visitors may be at the bedside at one time.

8:00 pm to 6:00 am: one visitor may be at the bedside at one time.

Exceptions may be made case by case by the Nurse-in-charge, including for end-of-life care. Please speak with the bedside nurse if your family has particular needs.

Arriving at the ICU

Please use the intercom at the ICU entrance and tell staff who you are visiting. Staff will let you know when it is appropriate to enter. At times you may need to wait while urgent care, procedures or private discussions take place.

Visiting overnight? Please call ICU first on (02) 4734 1166 so Security can be notified.

Between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am, enter the hospital through the South Block after-hours entrance opposite Security, or via the pedestrian bridge from P1 car park. Use the intercom at either entry point and give Security your name and the name of the patient you are visiting. Once inside, use the ICU entrance intercom as usual.

The hospital cannot provide visitors with food or beds overnight.

During your visit

We balance visiting with emergency care, patient rest and privacy, staff safety and infection prevention. You may sometimes be asked to wait outside the bedspace. We will invite you back as soon as it is appropriate.

If asked to step away, please wait in the ICU visitor waiting area rather than in hallways or outside other patients’ rooms.

If the curtain is closed at your loved one’s bedspace, please ask a nurse before entering.

Handover and medical-round times

Visits can continue during these times, but staff may need to focus on care or protect another patient’s privacy. These times are a guide and may vary.

Nursing handover generally occurs at: 7:00–8:00 am, 2:30–3:30 pm, 4:00–4:30 pm, 7:00–8:00 pm and 9:30–10:00 pm.

Medical and multidisciplinary rounds generally occur at: 8:30–11:30 am and 8:30–11:30 pm.

Children visiting

Children are welcome. Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult who is not the patient. Please tell the bedside nurse before bringing a child into the ICU. Our Social Work team can help prepare and support children before, during and after a visit.

Help prevent infection

Clean your hands when entering and leaving the ICU and follow any instructions about masks, gowns or other protective equipment.

Please do not visit if you have a cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose, diarrhoea or vomiting. Contact ICU if you cannot visit and need help staying informed.

Safety, respect and privacy

Please treat patients, families and staff with dignity and respect. Aggressive or disruptive behaviour, intoxication, or not following staff directions is not acceptable. A visitor may be asked to leave or may need to agree to conditions for future visits.

Do not take photographs, video or audio recordings unless you have permission from the Nurse-in-charge. Do not post identifiable information about the ICU, its patients or staff online.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families

We recognise the importance of family, community and kinship. Extended family and community members may visit flexibly in discussion with the Nurse-in-charge. An Aboriginal Liaison Officer can provide support, including during Sorry Business.

Tell us about the trial

We welcome feedback from patients, families and visitors during the trial. Open the visitor feedback form

About Nepean ICU

Nepean ICU is a highly specialised unit that cares for patients with potentially life-threatening conditions. It has 24 beds in two areas: ICU 1 (beds 1–12) and ICU 2 (beds 13–24).

The unit is secured by automatic doors to protect patients and support safe care. Please always use the entrance intercom and wait for staff to respond.

When a patient first arrives, urgent assessments and treatment may need to happen before staff can provide a detailed update. We understand that waiting can be difficult and will keep you informed as soon as we can.

Finding Nepean ICU