New opening hours at Derriford Hospital
In recognition of the invaluable role and contribution that families and carers provide to their loved ones when they are in hospital, Plymouth Hospitals is changing visiting times at Derriford.
From Monday 1 August 2016, all adult inpatient wards, with the exception of critical care and maternity, will be open between the hours of 07:30 and 22:00.
The #letsbeopen campaign was introduced by former Matron Emma Wilkinson and following her departure, it has been led by Matrons Judy Frame and Sue Timmins, supported by the Communications Team.
Judy, Matron for Cardiothoracics and Vascular, said: “We hope, by opening our wards up for longer to families, loved ones and carers, it will enable them to be more involved in their relatives’ care and planning for their discharge home or to onward care.”
To support this change, a Visitors’ Charter for Adult Inpatients has been develpoed, which outlines what staff will do and ask their visitors to do also.
The Visitors’ Charter includes standards that visitors are asked to respect, such as ensuring that no more than two people to 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.
Sue, Matron for Trauma, Orthopaedics and Rheumatology, added: “We do already have a number of wards that are ‘open’ or have extended their openings hours and the feedback from them has been really positive.
“We recognise that this will be a big change but we hope that everyone can see the difference this partnership will make and that this is the right thing to do for our patients and their families.”
The initiative has multiple benefits, including the reduction of anxiety for both the patient and their relative, enhances recovery, improves communication between relatives/carers and our staff and allows the person that knows the most about them, to be with them, therefore aiding a far more positive overall experience.
The conception of #letsbeopen 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, in the same way that parents stay with their sick children.
If you would like to share your thoughts on #letsbeopen and the changes to our visiting times at Derriford Hospital, you can get in contact via the website, our social media pages or by emailing phnt.communications@nhs.net.
