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Visitor Information

Welcome!  Thank you on behalf of the king Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre for being our guest.  We trust that your accommodation will be both adequate and comfortable.  Please take a few minutes and read this important information regarding your stay with us.

WORKING HOURS

The hospital working hours are from 0800 - 1800 Saturday through Tuesday and from 0800 - 1700 Wednesday.

AMENITIES

The Hospital is unique in that it incorporates a number of private establishments that cater to the needs of the staff and their dependents.  The following are just a few of the amenities and services that are available within the Hospital Grounds:

* private restaurant, staff cafeteria (male and female), and family dining room
* a 12 lane bowling and billiards centre
* dry cleaning service
* video rental shop
* photo processing centre
* a number of gift shops and a grocery store
* banking facilities (provided by Al Rajhi Bank)
* flower shop
* health science library with a wide selection of the latest scientific and medical journals and texts, as well as CD ROM based Medline (hours of service: Sat-Tue from 8am to 8pm; Wed from 8am to 5pm; and Thu from 10am to 2pm).
* and a host of other services

TELEPHONE

While at the Hospital or from your assigned housing, you can make a telephone call (within the Hospital) simply by dialing the desired extension number.  Dial "9" in order to obtain an outside line, then dial your seven digit number (for outside local calls).  International calls can be made by purchasing local prepaid phone cards through the PBX Office (located adjacent to Radiation Therapy in main hospital).

PAGING

To access the Hospital paging system within the Hospital, dial 1 plus the 4 digit number and then the number where you wan to be called back.  If you are outside the Hospital, dial 4647272, request that the operator page the individual while you hold, then connect you together with the desired party when he/she answers.

MAILING

The mail room is located in the basement of the main hospital building near the Biomedical Engineering department.  Express mail and DHL courier services are both available.

INTERNET

Most hospital PCs have access to the internet.  Please ask your host how you can take advantage of this service during your stay.

SHOPPING

Thursday and Friday comprise the "weekend" within the Kingdom.  Most businesses are closed on Friday mornings except for some grocery stores that stay open before the noon prayer (usually around 11:00 am).  All businesses are closed during prayer times lasting for about thirty minutes and held five times a day (dawn, noon, afternoon, dusk, and evening).  While out shopping or on excursions, please be aware of these times as you will not be allowed to remain in the shops during prayer.

TRANSPORTATION

Local low-cost transportion via limo (taxi cab) service is readily available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling extension 35555.  This service is fast, reliable, and reasonably priced.

DEPARTURE

Flights must be confirmed.  Please bring your passport and tickets to the Hospital when you arrive.  One of the departmental secretaries will be responsible for confirming your flight reservations and to have your exit visa in your passport checked.  Once confirmed, your tickets and passport will be returned to you immediately.

Please be advised that prior arrangements have been for a hospital representative to escort you to the airport for your departing flight.  It would be appreciated if you would be ready and available 2.5 hours prior to your departure.  If any problems arise, you can contact the Transportation dispatcher at extension 35544.

PASSPORT

When leaving the hospital grounds for any reason, it is important to keep your passport in your possession at all times.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Please be aware that according to hospital regulations, a photography permit is required for taking pictures in and around the hospital.  However, even when you do possess a permit, you may not photograph patients, visiting VIPs, dignitaries, women, or any employee for publication in magazines or other news media.  Photography permits are issued for a specific time, usually one month, and is renewable upon request.  Permits are obtained by contacting the Auxiliary Section of the Safety and Security Department.