Open visiting in the NHS

I have long been a champion of working in partnership with the carers and families of our patients, and have implemented ‘open visiting’ in my current and previous organisation to enable all of the well-published benefits. Cummings (2018) reflected that a flexible approach to embracing the presence of carers led to improving the overall experience of care, changing the atmosphere in wards and services, and helping to make best use of resources. Open visiting was also thought to lead to better communication, fewer complaints, a reduction in falls, violence, delirium and length of stay, an improvement in hydration and nutrition, acceptance of therapy and medication, generally improved wellbeing and maintenance of function.

Nursing through the current pandemic has had a profound impact on us all in so many ways. We have had to make such significant changes to enabling visiting, and this has been difficult for many patients and those of us nursing them.