Extended visiting hours reflect enlightened approach to patient care
Patients show greater improvement and emotional security as well as less anxiety when visiting hours are extended
It may seem like long ago that, for a period, visiting a loved one who was a patient in a public hospital was a logistical exercise, if it was allowed at all. That was, of course, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Visiting hours and the number of visitors allowed at any one time were limited. Visitors were permitted only on production of negative rapid antigen test or nucleic acid test results, and proof of vaccination.
This is welcome, and not just by comparison with previous draconian measures, but because it reflects an enlightened approach seen as positive for patients’ emotional welfare.
Public hospitals will extend visiting hours at all rehabilitation and palliative wards from five to nine hours a day by the end of July. The authority will also enable round-the-clock visits at all paediatric wards by the end of July, in addition to allowing one carer to stay overnight with child patients.