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Care Opinion

Misleading information on visiting times

Posted By visitinghours868

"Misleading information on visiting times"

About: Heartlands Hospital / Paediatrics

(as the patient),

I have been in Heartlands hospital for four weeks, and the provision for child visitors is quite frankly appalling. Not only do the different wards all seem to have differing policies on children, but there seems to be absolutely misleading information on the website. Visiting times are 10-10, there's absolutely no mention of restriction on children. I have a young daughter who has never spent a day away from me, and is totally distraught because she can't see me. None of the wards seem to have day rooms anymore, or any facility other than going outside into the corridors, for parents to be with their children. There are seats in the corridors, but they are badly placed, as anyone sitting there, is immediately causing problems for beds etc travelling to and from the wards. I am mobility impaired, and trekking to the cafe by the main entrance is impossible and wheelchairs are like hen's teeth.

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Responses

Response from Marie Helebert, Patient Services Officer, Patient Services, Heart of England Foundation Trust 7 years ago
Marie Helebert
Patient Services Officer, Patient Services,
Heart of England Foundation Trust

Work with patients & families to highlight and address any issues relating to patient experience.

Submitted on 20/03/2017 at 11:46
Published on Care Opinion at 12:12

dear visitinghours868

Thank you for your post regarding visiting times at Heartlands Hospital. I'm sorry to learn that you experienced difficulties, particularly with child visitors. Unfortunately, whislt the open visiting times have been hugely successful, meaning that there is more flexibility for families and patients, children visiting is at the discretion of the ward manager or nurse in charge. This is because generally, some sights on a hospital ward are not particularly pleasant and can be distressing for children. Also, children are at higher risk of picking up infections.

I am sorry that you experienced issues, but should you experience any difficulties in future, I would suggest speaking with the nurse in charge or the ward managerwho will consider any extenuating circumstances on an individual basis.

With regard to Day rooms, you are correct, most wards do not have them anymore aolthough some still do and if you speak with the nurse in charge or a ward manager, they will do what they can and possibly provide access to an office or a private space but as previously stated, children's access to wards is at their discretion.

Regarding wheelchairs, there is usually a supply of wheelchairs for patient and visitor use down in the New Main Entrance. They operate like shopping trolleys, requiring a pound coin or a trolley coin which is returned to you when you return the wheelchair.

I hope this information is helpful but should you require any other information or assistance, please contact Patient Services on 0121 424 0808 or by email:

bhs-tr.Complaints-ConcernsandCompliments@nhs.net

Please note this email address is case sensitive.

With kind regards

Marei Helebert

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