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Visiting hours agreed at Hospitals
Written by Head of Communications   

Over the past four months most wards at St Peter’s Hospital have piloted new visiting hours, with ‘evening only’ visiting during the week (6.00 – 8.00pm) and more relaxed visiting on Saturdays and Sundays (2.30 – 8.00pm). The aim of the pilot was to provide the best environment for recovery with protected mealtimes and rest periods for patients, and more dedicated time for staff to undertake care and treatment.

Throughout the trial period, the hospital has been busy collecting feedback from patients, visitors and staff and a final decision was made about visiting times by the Trust Board at the end of September.

Explains Interim Chief Nurse Susan Osborne: “The feedback we received has been very mixed, with both positive and negative comments. Some patients felt the reduced visiting hours worked well and allowed greater time for care, treatment and rest, whilst others said it can feel like a long and lonely day to wait until 6.00pm for family and friends to come in.”

“After listening very carefully to everyone’s views, we considered several different options and have chosen one which we hope will suit most people. Afternoon visiting will be re-introduced between 3.00 and 4.30pm and evening visiting will take place between 6.00 and 8.00pm. These times will be the same everyday, during the week and at weekends, and will operate on most wards at both Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals.”

“We really think these new hours balance the needs of everyone. Patients will still have a protected rest period after lunch which is important to recovery, but will not have to wait so long to see family and friends. These revised visiting times also offer greater flexibility for visitors, who can choose to come in the afternoon and / or evening to fit around their other commitments, and still allow for protected mealtimes throughout the week. In addition, we know that these new times will help to alleviate traffic congestion on our two sites at peak times for both our visitors and patients coming into hospital for outpatient appointments.”

As was the case throughout the trial some areas operate different visiting times, such as the maternity unit, children’s wards, neonatal and adult intensive care units, high dependency unit and medical assessment unit. Exceptions will continue to be made for people who may find the new visiting times difficult, including those visiting very ill or dying patients, those who live far away, are reliant on using public transport or on others providing a lift, parents who need childcare cover and those who work during the visiting times. In these cases, visitors should discuss their individual arrangements with the ward sister or nurse-in-charge.