The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has extended visiting hours on most wards with the introduction of flexible visiting.
Great Western Hospitals Trust says it has updated its visting guidance to acknowledge the invaluable role family, friends and carers play in patients' care.
The updated guidance sees visiting hours on most wards expanded to 8am to 8pm with visiting outside these hours possible in some cases upon discussion with the ward areas. This is in addition to patients being able to be accompanied to most appointments now.
While the limit of two visitors per patient still exists, the new guidance recognises that relationships of people important to patients may vary and can include close friends as well as family.
Head of Patient Experience and Engagement Tania Currie said: “We know that the quality of care for patients is improved by involving the family, friends, and carers of our patients.
"It is important to us that patients know that they have a right to receive visits and to be accompanied to appointments based on their personal preference.
"That’s why we’re sharing updated guidance on our website, which includes expanded visiting hours and a commitment to ensuring that all visitors feel welcomed and able to attend.”
A few exceptions remain in specialist wards such as Day Surgery, Critical Care Unit, the Acute Cardiac Unit and Maternity and Neonatal services.
Further information can be found at https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/
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