Bluewater Health is improving its patient experience by extending visiting hours for family members.
Under the old policy, family was only allowed to visit between 11am and 8:30pm daily.
Chief Nursing Executive Shannon Landry says they can now stop by 24/7 in Sarnia and Petrolia.
"We don't identify who the family is," says Landry. "We don't say if it's your next of kin, or your spouse or partner or children. We ask the patient who they would like identified as family, who would they like us to provide information to, and they tell us."
Landry says family visits are often critical to patient safety, comfort, medical and psychological well-being, and the overall healing process.
She says they're still working with families on how to best accommodate large group visits, whether it be finding another room or allowing smaller groups at a time.
Those visiting in Sarnia between 8:30pm and 6am are asked to enter through the front door and buzz the intercom. In Petrolia, they can enter through the Emergency Department.
