From Thursday 1^st March 2012 visiting hours for the children’s ward for non- parents and carers at Barnsley Hospital will change to 12:30 – 4:30pm & 5:30 – 7pm.

A consultation took place involving children and young people, their families, nurses and medical staff to decide on the changes to the visiting hours for non- parents and carers.

The changes mean that the children’s meal times will be uninterrupted; they will be able to sleep and rest following their operation; confidentiality will be maintained during doctors ward rounds and it will also allow the domestic team to clean all areas of the ward more easily.

Melanie Kinsman, nurse advisor for children and young people’s care at the hospital said “The care of each child is our main priority and it must be remembered that children who are ill, or who are recovering from surgery, require adequate rest to enable them to get better.

“We will continue to be flexible and any variation to the new hours can be discussed with the nurse in charge.”

The changes will also see the number of people visiting at a child’s bedside being limited to two, in addition to the child’s parents.

Visiting hours of a child’s parents will be unaffected by the changes.