Visiting times extended at Leicestershire community hospitals

The trust said it was committed to improving patient care

Visiting hours have been extended at community hospitals across Leicestershire and Rutland.

The Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) previously allowed patient visits between 14:00 BST to 20:00.

But now the trust says it will allow early visiting each day from 11:00 to 20:00.

LPT's executive director of nursing, Dr Anne Scott, said the move acknowledged the value of visits to patients and their families.

The changed hours are in place in at Coalville Community Hospital, Hinckley and Bosworth Community Hospital, Loughborough Hospital, Melton Hospital, Rutland Memorial Hospital, in Oakham and St Luke's in Market Harborough.

The new visiting hours have also been introduced at the Beechwood and Clarendon wards at the Evington Centre in Leicester.

'Wellbeing'

Visits to patients in the Bradgate Mental Health Unit, at Glenfield Hospital, are now allowed between 11:00 and 19:00, the trust said.

And the Beacon Unit at Glenfield Hospital, which treats young people with mental health issues, has also had visiting hours extended to 11:00 to 20:00

Dr Scott added: "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."