Extended visiting hours are being introduced at two Black Country hospitals from next week – following feedback from families, friends and carers who said they would welcome this opportunity.

Walsall Healthcare and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trusts will be offering this across general wards at the Manor and New Cross Hospitals from Monday 11 November.

It means up to two people at a time will be welcomed from 11am until 8pm daily. The new arrangements won’t apply to specialist areas including Maternity, Neonatal, Paediatrics and Intensive Care, as these have their own visiting times in place to meet specific needs.

The Patient Experience Team, which works across both Trusts, carried out a survey across the hospitals in the summer. As well as encouraging feedback from respondents, the team wanted to work to encourage visitors to be seen as “Partners in Care” and is also developing a “Visitors’ Charter.”

Garry Perry, Associate Director – Patient Voice for the Trusts, said: “Thank you to everyone who took the time to give us their views about extended visiting times – there was overwhelming support for us to implement this.

“We’re delighted to say that from next Monday 11 November, there will be longer visiting hours across our general wards. Patients’ friends, families and carers can play a vital role in aiding their recovering whether it’s through providing company, encouraging people to keep up their food and fluid intake or offering wider support for those living with dementia for example.

“We just ask that visitors are limited to two per bedside at any time and respect others’ privacy as well as continue working with us to minimise infection risk and maintain calm, caring areas for our patients.

“We appreciate the importance of visitors and consider them our “Partners in Care. Their involvement helps our teams to create a compassionate and caring environment for everyone who uses our services.”

Garry added the extended hours will also better support relatives who want to feel more informed about their loved one’s care creating a wider opportunity for face-to-face conversation.

Visitors can also support the Trusts’ Eat, Drink, Dress, Move to Improve initiative – encouraging patients to get dressed and move about to help them take further steps towards a return home.