New visitor policy takes effect at Windsor Regional Hospital

Windsor Regional Hospital's Met Campus is shown in this file photo on Dec. 5, 2012. (Melanie Borrelli / CTV Windsor)

Windsor Regional Hospital is extending its visiting hours.

The revised policy provides 24-hour access for primary caregivers for palliative, emergency, critical care, neonatal and paediatric patients.

In all other areas of both hospital campuses, general visiting hours have been extended to 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily -including weekends and holidays. Before the hospital services realignment, the general visiting hours were 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and statutory holidays.

The changes took effect Jan.1.

“This revision in our visiting hours policy reflects a balance of providing more flexibility for busy families wanting to visit an ill loved one at a time more convenient to their schedule, balanced with a need to ensure we minimize the risk of infections being brought into either campus,” said David Musyj, president and CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital in a release.

Two visitors are allowed at any one time. Due to the higher risk environment, the hospital does not encourage visits from infants and children under 14 years of age.

The revised policy reflects a review that started 12 months ago, when the hospital surveyed patients and visitors at both campuses over two distinct periods of time.