Changes to hospital visiting hours

2nd November, 1999

Patients at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds have voted in favour of shortening visiting hours on surgical and medical wards to give them more time to rest.

While visiting times on these wards will primarily be 2.30pm to 8.00pm instead of all day open access, the emphasis will be on flexibility so that the needs of individuals are met, said West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust Director of Nursing Nichole Day.

The hospital carried out a survey recently after having received a number of comments from patients that they find unlimited visiting hours exhausting. The survey reveals that 77% of patients supported the idea of limited visiting.

"The principal concerns of patients against the idea were the effect of restrictions on people whose partners had to be at work from 2.30 to 8.00pm and those with children at school," said Miss Day. "The hours can be adjusted in individual cases to meet any such difficulties. All patients and visitors need to do is have a word with the nurses on the ward.

Restricting visiting hours will enable patients to have a part of the day to themselves so that they can see doctors and nurses, relax, read and otherwise rest without having to worry about visitors.

The changes will only apply to acute surgical and medical wards.

Unlimited visiting hours will continue in the children's ward, Special Care Baby Unit, Intensive Care and Coronary Care Units as well as rehabilitation wards. Maternity wards will also keep to their own special arrangements.

The new arrangements will be introduced during November.