Visitors’ Charter signed in preparation for #letsbeopen launch

From Monday 1 August 2016, all Plymouth Hospital NHS Trust's adult inpatient wards, with the exception of critical care and maternity, will be open between the hours of 07:30 and 22:00.

In preparation for this date, our Visitor’s Charter for Adult Inpatients has now been given the seal of approval and signed by Ann James, Chief Executive, Greg Dix, Director of Nursing and Phil Hughes, Medical Director.Visitors' Charter

Ann said: “I am delighted that as a Trust, we are extending our visiting times to allow the families and carers of our patients to be more involved in their care and care planning.  The Visitors’ Charter represents our commitment to the relatives and carers visiting the hospital and this change is a vital part of embracing the value of loved ones to aid recovery and care for our patients.”

The Visitors’ Charter outlines what we will do as staff and what we ask our visitors to do too. It includes standards that we ask all of our visitors to respect, such as ensuring that no more than two people visit at any one time, supporting and encouraging the patient during mealtimes, observing quiet times or being asked to leave for a short period of time, such as during doctors’ rounds, etc.

This initiative has multiple benefits, including enhanced recovery, a reduction of anxiety for both the patient and their relative and many more and was influenced by the John’s Campaign, which aims to give the carers of those living with dementia the right to stay with them in hospital.

Please click here to enlarge the Visitors' Charter.