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Open visiting hours wishaw general

Posted By Exhausted visitor

"Open visiting hours wishaw general"

About: University Hospital Wishaw

(as a service user),

I understand that open visiting hours are offered in an effort to be more responsive to the needs of patients and their carers and appreciate the sentiment behind it but feel that it puts undue pressure on families to be there all the time. I also feel it creates an environment where as visitors are there most of the time there is little opportunity for patients to rest without being disturbed and whereby there is virtually no chance of confidential discussions because the wards are full of visitors most of the day. I think that it's important to offer the chance to be three all the time when needed as per Johns campaign signs. That is a great idea but not on an ad hoc everyone can come in almost any time at all way like now.  

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Responses

Response from Gillian McAuley, Chief of Nursing Services, University Hospital Wishaw, NHS Lanarkshire 6 years ago
Gillian McAuley
Chief of Nursing Services, University Hospital Wishaw,
NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 12/12/2017 at 11:42
Published on Care Opinion at 11:53

picture of Gillian McAuley

Dear Exhausted Visitor,

Thank you for taking the time to post your comments. The approach to visiting varies across Scotland and there is national support for us all to make sure that we are responsive to patients needs, through campaigns such as 'What matters to me' and 'John's Campaign'

We are committed to all our patients and families and our pledges around John's Campaign enables us to work together without restriction. It's is proven that this approach is beneficial to patient outcomes as well as for families. Giving this approach provides truly person centred care, the decision to move to open visiting was taken to reduce confusion and frustration for patient's and families who did not fall into these categories, supporting fairness and equality.

I understand that there are many clinical scenarios to be considered within this approach and we have produced guidelines and helpful hints for visiting to support patients, families and staff, with some of the issues you describe. We are constantly evaluating this, regularly discussing any issues and feedback at our manager and charge nurse forums.

We are carrying out audits of the numbers of visitors in hospital a various points in the day and our experience so far, is that this is minimal before 12 midday and there remains larger numbers of relatives and carers who stick to traditional times. The open approach supports patients and families who may need to travel a distance or have work commitments and may not in traditional circumstances get to see their loved one.

We have recently gathered opinions of patients, staff and relatives on our approach and I will feed your comments into this process.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience, it is really important to us as we work in collaboration to develop person centred approached to visiting.

I would be happy to discuss this further and you can contact me on 01698 366002

Best Wishes

Gillian

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