HOSPITALS across the borough have announced that visit times will reopen throughout the day.

Last month, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) announced that there would be a change to hospital visiting times from Tuesday, April 1, 2024.

Traditionally, there have been split and restricted times for people to visit their loved ones in hospitals, in order to reduce the risk of disease transmission and allow wards to run smoothly without safety concerns.

However, following concerns by patients and their families, legislation was introduced by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to make visiting and accompanying patients a Care Quality Commission (CQC) fundamental standard of care.

This means that hospitals across in the WWL remit will now be open between the hours of 12pm and 8pm, rather than split and restricted visiting times.

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The relatives and carers of patients who will need support outside of these hours will be able to arrange alternative provision with the nurse in charge of the ward or department.

WWL's Interim Chief Nurse, Kevin Parker-Evans, said: "I am pleased to be able to announce the revision to our visiting times across WWL site.

"Visiting times are crucial to the health and wellbeing of those receiving care as it ensures that people remain connected with their loved ones and their community, as well as having people to support and advocate for them when they are their most vulnerable."

Since announcing the news on social media, many residents have applauded the "excellent idea" to expand the period when patients can see their families.

One resident commented that this is "fantastic news", while another said that "whatever is best for patients [should be] the priority."