Proposal To Extend Visiting Hours At Medway Hospital

Feedback is being encouraged from patients, their families, carers and members of the public in Medway and Swale, about a proposal to extend visiting times in adult wards at Medway Maritime Hospital.

To make it easier for families, carers and visitors to spend time with patients while they are in hospital, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the hospital, is planning to extend visiting hours from 8am to 8pm across most inpatient areas (most adult wards are currently 1pm to 8pm).

There will continue to be flexible arrangements in some specialist areas, such as Maternity, Intensive Care Unit, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Paediatrics (children's’ wards), to reflect the needs of the patients. Special arrangements are also made, and will continue to be made, for any patients receiving End of Life care.

Sarah Vaux, Interim Chief Nursing Officer for the Trust, tld SFM News: “We know that being around family, friends and their own carers helps our patients recover more quickly, by supporting their personal care, encouraging them to get up out of bed and dressed and generally providing company and familiar faces, which boosts wellbeing. We believe extending visiting hours in this way will offer families more flexibility and ultimately improve the hospital experience for everyone involved.”

A short survey is now open to find out what people from Medway and Swale think of the plans. The survey takes less than five minutes to complete and closes on Sunday 23rd February 2025. You can find it here.

All feedback will be considered by the Trust before a final decision is made in March.