We are listening - Person-Centred Visiting

Gillian,

The approach to visiting varies across Scotland and there is national support for us all to make sure that we are responsive to patients needs, through campaigns such as 'What matters to me' and 'John's Campaign'. Support from family and carers’ is essential for anyone to live well with dementia. It is well recognised that an admission to hospital for someone with dementia can be a stressful and disorientating experience. John’s Campaign” is a request for both access and recognition for carers to be welcomed on hospital wards at any time.

 I am proud to say that University Hospital Wishaw was the first hospital in Scotland to sign-up to “John’s Campaign”; you can find out more information about John’s Campaign at http://www.johnscampaign.org.uk/

 We are committed to all our patients and families and our pledges around John's Campaign enable us to work together without restriction. Whilst patients, carers and staff readily recognised the benefits of John’s Campaign, feedback from the public indicated that they felt this person-centred approach to visiting should apply to all.

University Hospital Wishaw took the decision to test and move to open visiting during 2017 to reduce confusion and frustration for patients and families who did not fall into these categories, supporting fairness and equality. We have realised many benefits from this approach, patients and families feel they are part of the team and decisions made about care and treatment.

There are many clinical scenarios to be considered within this approach and we have produced guidelines and helpful hints for visiting to support patients, families and staff. We encourage patients and their families to discuss and agree what visiting arrangements suits them best and staff will do their utmost to support their wishes.

This has not been without its challenges, particularly in shared rooms. Staff are dependent on the cooperation and collaboration of patients and their visitors to ensure that care and treatments can be provided with dignity and that patients and staff are respected.

The open approach supports patients and families who may need to travel a distance or have work commitments and may not in traditional circumstances get to see their loved one.

During outbreaks we may need to ask visitors to adhere to infection control precautions and in extreme circumstances we may need to restrict visiting in some wards. All decisions are taken in collaboration with infection, prevention and control teams, with patient safety at the heart. We will always make provision for families to keep in touch with their loved ones.

‘We value visitors as part of our team and welcome you on our wards’

If you have an experience of University Hospital Wishaw you would like to share please speak to a member of staff, respond on Care Opinion, or visit the “Your Feedback” Section of the NHS Lanarkshire website to see the other ways to get in touch http://www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk/