New patient visiting times have been introduced at Withybush Hospital for all adult wards. From this week, visiting will take place daily between 3 pm and 4 pm and between 7 pm and 8.30 pm. These times will apply to Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 11, 12 and 14, with no change to current arrangements in other areas.
The changes have been introduced to ensure patients have adequate rest periods and a quiet environment when they receive essential treatments.
"Seeing friends and loved ones is, of course, an important part of a patient's recovery process," said Withybush nursing director, Chris Hayes. "But a balance needs to be struck and we were finding that many patients were becoming over-tired by a more open visiting policy. In introducing the changes, we will, of course, take a flexible approach and we recognise there will be particular circumstances when visiting will be necessary at other times, for instance when a patient is critically ill."
The changes are to be reviewed during the summer and the hospital would welcome comments from patients and the public, either through ward sisters or, if preferred, in writing to Mrs. Hayes.