Visiting hours extended across Leicestershire hospitals and mental health services

Visiting hours have been extended in community hospitals and mental health services across Leicestershire. Community hospitals and the Beacon in-patient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Unit are now open between 11am and 8pm for visitors, while patients on mental health wards can be seen between the hours of 11am and 7pm.

Community hospitals that will be open from 11am to 8pm include Coalville Community Hospital, Hinckley and Bosworth Community Hospital, Loughborough Hospital, Melton Mowbray Hospital,

Rutland Memorial Hospital

, St Luke’s Hospital in Market Harborough and city in-patient beds in the Evington Centre, based at Leicester General Hospital, Gwendolen Road, that help people to live as independently as possible, maximise a patient's recovery and offer end of life care

Visits can take place between 11am and 7pm at adult mental health in-patient wards including the Bradgate Mental Health Unit at Glenfield Hospital, in Groby Road, and Welford Ward, at Glenfield hospital. The Agnes Unit, in Anstey Lane, is open between 11am and 8pm. The Beacon inpatient CAMHS Unit for young people aged 12 to 18 years, based at Glenfield Hospital, is open for visitors between 11am and 8pm.

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A spokesperson for Leicester Partnership NHS Trust, which provides mental health, learning disability and community health services across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, said: "If families and carers wish to visit outside of these hours you can talk to the nurse in charge who will help to facilitate your request."

"Open visiting continues to be in place to support those parents or carers caring for a child or young person, carers who wish to continue their caring responsibilities and families of any patients who are ‘end of life'," they added.

Dr Anne Scott, executive director of nursing, allied health professionals and quality at Leicester Partnership Trust, said: “At our Trust we recognise the value that visiting makes to the health, wellbeing and care of our patients and service-users. Our extended visiting reflects the commitment of all of our staff to delivering high-quality compassionate care for all.”