Change to NHS Highland hospital visiting times aims to end confusion

NHS Highland plans to open up hospital visiting times so that patients can benefit from more flexible arrangements at the end of this month.

Rather than having visiting hours at set times, patients will be able to ask friends, relatives and carers to visit at times that better suit everyone involved.

The change will start on Thursday, July 25.

Kate Patience-Quate, the interim deputy director of nursing, hopes the new open visiting hours would get rid of any confusion around visiting people in hospital.

“When you or a family member, friend or someone you care for is in hospital, it can be a worrying time,” she said. “Contact with people who are close to you is important and family, friends and carers can have a key role in supporting you while in hospital and during your recovery.

“NHS Highland recognises the significance of these relationships and believes that family, friends and carers also have a role in supporting us to plan and deliver safe, effective and person-centred care.”

Heidi May, the board’s director of nursing, said: “We’ve worked closely with patients, their relatives, carers as well as our health and social care staff on this and we know it’s something people are really keen for us to pursue.

“There will be occasions when, for clinical reasons, visitors may be asked to come back later or move to another area of the ward for a short period. But I think everyone can understand that.”

The health board has produced an information booklet, promotional banners, posters and social media posts to raise awareness of the visiting hours changes.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.