An Angus MSP has claimed a pilot scheme to make hospital visiting hours flexible should be rolled out across the country.
Nigel Don gave his backing to a trial that will see family and friends able to visit patients at hospital at times convenient to them.
NHS Tayside is one of five health boards to sign up to the pilot, with five wards trialling extended visiting hours of 11am to 8pm at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
The initiative is the first in a series of programmes to be implemented as part of health secretary Alex Neil’s plans to make the NHS more user-friendly.
It is based on feedback received as part of Mr Neil’s “back to the floor” visits to hospitals across Scotland, and aims to give patients what they want from their NHS.
Mr Don, who is MSP for Angus North and Mearns, said: “I welcome this pilot. The extended hours will be of great value to my constituents visiting relatives and loved ones in Ninewells.
“This move will give more flexibility to friends and family, as well as taking the pressure off already hard-pressed nursing staff.
“I truly hope this pilot scheme is a success and is eventually rolled out to every hospital across the land.”
Mr Neil said the pilot was a first step towards giving patients what they want.
He added: “By making visiting hours fit better with modern day working patterns, it will be easier for family and friends to visit patients, which in many cases will help to speed up recovery, as support from family and friends is a crucial part of the healing process.
“It will also take some of the pressure off staff, as visitors will be spread out more throughout the day, rather than being restricted to a couple of hours.”
Mr Neil said he had been speaking to patients and staff across the country over the past few months to get a better idea of how they want the NHS to run.
“I want to use this feedback to improve the NHS and make it more user-friendly,” he said.
“You own the NHS and you should get your say in how you are treated when you are in hospital.”
gbletcher@thecourier.co.uk.