Hull Women and Children’s Hospital introduces overnight security measures
New restrictions follow unauthorised entries into the hospital
Last updated 1st Sep 2026
Hull Women and Children’s Hospital will implement overnight security measures starting next week.
From 7th September, the hospital will utilise buzzer access between 9pm and 7am to protect families.
The decision by senior maternity staff comes after incidents involving people entering to sleep or attempt access to wards and clinical departments.
Tess Dunning, Head of Midwifery, emphasised that access will be limited to patients and legitimate visitors in line with existing security at Hull Royal Infirmary.
She said: “We’ve had incidents in the past where staff coming to work have found people sleeping in areas of the hospital or wandering around the corridors so we’re taking this additional level of security to protect our staff, and the people and families in our care.”
From 7th September, visitors can enter the hospital’s front entrance but will be admitted only to the carpeted foyer.
Access to wards or departments will be managed through a buzzer system located next to the internal, locked doors.
Requests for entry will be handled by nurses or midwives in each area, including the Acorn Paediatric Ward.
Those needing the 24-hour Maternity Triage Service can use the buzzer system.
Parents or guardians with 24-hour authorisation for the Neonatal Unit (NICU) can access via fingerprint.
An emergency phone is connected directly to the Labour Ward office and is positioned next to the buzzer system for urgent assistance.