The Network changes its policy on visiting hours to focus on family members or care partners

Bathurst, August 30, 2017 –  Effective September 1, 2017, family members or care partners of inpatients at Vitalité Health Network’s hospital facilities will be able to remain with their loved ones at any time of the day or night. Other visitors will be able to visit Network facilities at any time during the day, but they will be encouraged to respect rest time, i.e. from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

In accordance with its new policy, the Network will encourage the presence of family members by eliminating the general visiting schedule; the 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. schedule will be abolished. According to Johanne Roy, Vice-President of Clinical Services, this change is intended to focus on the family and allow a family member or care partner to participate in the delivery of health care and in decision-making, and stay with the patient at any time of the day or night. “We want to provide patients with the emotional and physical support they need to make their stay in our hospital facilities more pleasant and soothing”, she stated.

The family will therefore be able to reassure the patient and help them understand the care staff’s directives.  Ms. Roy says that this new initiative focuses primarily on compassion, mutual aid and the participation of loved ones in order to achieve a single goal, which is improving health care in Network hospitals. “We want family members to become “health partners” rather than “visitors”, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week”, she added.

This initiative is also encouraged by the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI), which points out that the presence of loved ones can help patients get better. The CFHI also states that there are fewer falls, fewer medication errors and better care planning when a patient is supported by their family.

The Network reminds visitors to show respect during hospital visits to ensure an environment that promotes healing as well as the patients’ care confidentiality and privacy. The new policy must never interfere with the work of health professionals during delivery of care and services.