Visitors can be the best medicine

Lou Joce says her ward has embraced flexible visiting hours.

Redcliffe Hospital has made it as easy as possible for patients to have visitors with flexible visiting hours and free Wi-Fi for virtual visits with loved ones.

Lou Joce is a Nursing Unit Manager in Ward 6 East at Redcliffe Hospital, and she knows how important it is for patients to have visitors.

She says that while everyone on her ward does their best to be kind and welcoming – being away from home can be hard on patients and their loved ones.

“Particularly in a medical ward with frail and elderly patients, a hospital stay can bring loneliness and anxiety,” Lou said.

“A hug from a family member, or even just the company of a friend or neighbour can make all the difference. Visitors bring comfort and reassurance and keep the patient connected to their lives outside the hospital.”

Lou says visiting family and carers can make the experience of being in hospital safer and easier for patients as well.

“They can be great advocates for the patient, help motivate the patient to engage with their care and treatment or even help us find ways to make the patient more comfortable.”

While most hospital wards once had strict visiting hours, times have changed and wards like 6 East at Redcliffe now followed a more flexible approach.

“Flexible visiting hours mean visitors are not limited to specific times to see their loved ones,” Lou said.

“We’re very supportive of flexible visiting hours because we see the benefits it has for our patients, as well as their visitors.”

Lou said that a flexible approach to visiting hours means patients don’t have to see all their visitors all at once, and visitors with work, study or family commitments have lots more options to visit.

“There are still some practical limits, like when a patient is being examined or having a treatment with allied health clinicians. We may ask visitors to step away for a little while, but patients and visitors are usually very accepting and respectful of this.”

Ward patients can also be unavailable for visits during things like medical imaging or surgical procedures.

“If you’re ever unsure about the best time to visit a patient – please just give us a call and ask,” Lou said.

Redcliffe Hospital wards can be contacted through the hospital switchboard on 3883 7777.