Interesting, we have had this rule for a long time. But, only one person is allowed to accompany the patient 24/7.
That sounds like a good thing…
Health New Zealand says changes to allow family members to stay with hospital patients around the clock is about valuing family support, but the nurses union says the move has more to do with staffing shortages.
Ah, there’s the rub.
In my experience, hospitals have always been good about visitors at any hour if you’re particularly close and aren’t interrupting sleep or anything (i.e. you’re happy to sit quietly in the corner).
I always took visiting hours as being time for those extended relatives that never stop talking to visit and then get kicked out.
Same experience for me too.
I imagine the rules are there so that there’s a way to eject excessively numerous visitors.
While writing that sentence I realized there’s a cultural issue there that probably warrants an honest debate.
