McGimpsey outlines new hospital visiting guidelines

Patient safety, infection control and dignity and respect are amongst the key guiding principles announced for hospital visiting policies.

The new regional approach to hospital visiting policies is part the package of measures announced by the Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, aimed at tackling healthcare associated infections.

Amongst the guiding principles announced today are the following:-

• Visiting times should maintain patient privacy and dignity, and allow optimum time for delivery of care.
• The start of each visiting period should be supervised by a member of ward staff who can remind visitors to wash their hands.
• Visiting times will be limited to two hours, with a maximum of two visitors per patient at any one time.
• Visitors should not visit if they have any infectious conditions such as vomiting, diarrhoea and cold/flu like symptoms.
• Visitors should only bring in food for patients following prior discussion with the nurse in charge.

Special consideration will continue to be given in certain areas such as critical care, neonatal, paediatric, mental health, learning disability and maternity.

Launching the guiding principles, Michael McGimpsey said: “Visiting patients in hospital has always been, and will remain, an integral part of health care. The support of loved ones at a time of illness, and when patients are at their most vulnerable, is invaluable to recovery.

“Hospitals are, however, primarily a clinical environment where the focus and attention must always be on patient treatment, and safety. Patient care must remain at the centre of everything we do.

“I hope that both visitors and staff will adhere to these new guidelines and I would ask everyone for their co-operation as we all work together to combat infections. Basic hygiene measures such as washing your hands when entering and leaving a ward is vital. Visiting should be curtailed if you yourself are feeling ill. You will only be putting the health of others at risk.

“These guidelines are of course wider than infection control alone. The privacy and dignity of patients must also be safeguarded, scheduling quiet times for rest and as far as possible, enabling patients to have their meals free from interruption."

The minister concluded: “There will of course be circumstances where flexibility will be required and this will be borne in mind. All that is asked is that visitors remember to discuss and agree their arrangements with the nurse in charge.”

The minister has now asked Trusts to incorporate the guiding principles within their own hospital visiting policies as soon as possible and certainly within four months.

Notes to Editors:

1. To download a copy of the ‘Guiding Principles for the Production of Hospital Visiting Policies’ please visit the DHSSPS website.

2. Press enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0575 or 07833 668748. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.