Cheshire Medical Center's visitor and caregiver policy applies to all our locations, including the Walpole and Winchester Family Medicine clinics, and satellite offices such as our Audiology, Dermatology, Metabolic Medicine, and Ophthalmology departments.
- Health and Safety Requirements for entering our facilities
- Visitor and caregiver requirements for Cheshire Medical Center locations
- Visitation for COVID-19-positive patients or patients under investigation for COVID-19
- Virtual visits
- Interpretation and disability accommodations
Masking policy
We are able to safely relax earlier face mask standards due to the drop in COVID-19 cases in our area.
Masks are optional for patients and visitors who do not have respiratory symptoms.
Masks are required when:
- You have been diagnosed with a respiratory illness (COVID, flu, etc.)
- You have had a known exposure to COVID (within 7 – 10 days)
- You have signs/symptoms of respiratory illness (with or without fever) such as:
- Congestion
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
We are mask-friendly and continue to offer masks at no cost in our buildings. If you would like any member of the staff who are caring for you to wear a mask, please let us know. We are happy to wear one if you ask.
We ask that you continue to practice good hygiene in all healing environments, such as sanitizing your hands upon entry and washing hands before and after visiting the cafe.
Visitor and caregiver requirements for Cheshire Medical Center locations
An individual entering with a patient to an outpatient appointment or here to see an inpatient must follow these guidelines:
- Anyone entering with a patient must be 18 years of age or older.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for inpatient visits: Everyone is required to wear PPE as per the instructions of the care team. This may vary depending on the symptoms or illness of the patient.
Visiting hours
- The patient's identified support person may be present at any time unless restricted due to safety or health reasons per policy.
- Quiet Hours begin at 8 pm.
- Visitation after 8 pm is at the discretion of the patient's care team.
Medical Center entrance hours
Visitors must enter through the Emergency Department when Main and West Entrances are closed.
Pediatric inpatients
- 4 adults per day are allowed. This includes:
- 2 parents, guardians, or caregivers.
- Plus 2 extra visitors may be present at the bedside (up to 4 total).
- The 2 visitors may rotate.
- Only 1 parent, guardian, or caregiver may stay the night.
Labor and delivery patients
- 3 people may be permitted to stay with the patient during active labor.(cannot rotate)
- 1 support person is allowed to stay with the patient overnight after birth.
- After delivery, brothers or sisters aged 2 to 18 years old may visit if they are with an adult.
- After delivery visitors are allowed after the recovery period concludes; please note that Quiet Hours are between 2-4pm and after 8pm.
- Children under the age of 2 years may not visit.
Visitation for COVID-19-positive patients or patients under investigation for COVID-19
Adult inpatient and emergency department* visitors
- On a case-by-case basis, up to 2 designated visitors may be permitted.
- Virtual visits are available and remain the safest option.
Pediatric (child) inpatient visitors
- Up to 2 parents/guardians may be present at the bedside of pediatric patients during their inpatient admission.
Labor and delivery/WACHU visitors
- 1 designated partner or support person may be present at the bedside during the inpatient admission.
End-of-life patient visitors
This guideline applies to patients at risk of death within 24 hours by the doctor of record and patients receiving "comfort care only."
- 3 visitors may be at the bedside at a time, for a total of 6 visitors.
How can you connect with patients?
- Call or video chat on their personal phone
- Call 603-354-5400 for the patient's room and phone number
- Make a staff-assisted Virtual Visit. Contact the patient's health care team to arrange a Virtual Visit.
- Send mail to this address:
Patient's Full Name
Cheshire Medical Center
580 Court Street
Keene, NH 03431
Patients with disabilities
Cheshire Medical Center will work to ensure reasonable accommodations for each patient with a disability to provide reasonable access to others they may need with them in the inpatient and outpatient settings, in a manner consistent with disability rights laws and the health and safety of patients, our health care providers, and support persons.
Access to interpreters
This Policy does not restrict patient access to interpreters. Services for patients who have limited English language proficiency or are blind, deaf, hard of hearing, or otherwise communication disabled will be maintained.
