More flexible visiting hours at the island’s general hospital are designed to boost emotional support for patients, staff said yesterday.

The King Edward VII Memorial Hospital has introduced a new welcoming policy, which allows for up to two support people to have access to patients around the clock or stay overnight if a patient requests it.

In addition, normal visiting hours have been extended by an hour, from 11am to 8pm instead of noon to 8pm.

A spokeswoman for KEMH said the reaction to the new rules from patients and visitors had been positive.

The daughter of one patient, who flew home the day before her father had surgery, said: “It was so good to be able to come straight from the airport that evening and stay by his bedside until he settled around midnight.

“He slept better that night and so did I. I am so grateful for this new programme.”

And the sister of another patient wrote: “I wear my support badge with pride, and use it to take my elderly sister the paper on my way to work, just like I do when she is at home. It’s great.”

Norma Smith, clinical director of medical and surgical services at the KEMH, said: “This project is very near and dear to my heart.

“It’s an important step in making people’s experience at KEMH truly patient-centred.

“The key is that patients are in control of who sees them and when, rather than the hospital. The selected support people are people who patients think will best support them.”

She added: “Support people may or may not be immediate family, and patients can elect to have no additional support people and just keep their visitors to general welcoming hours.”

Ms Smith led a special patient-centred care committee which included clinical staff, the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda and security staff to draw up the new policy, while patients’ views were also canvassed.

She said: “I equate this programme to the discovery of a new piece of equipment that will help patients find comfort and healing.

“It is heartwarming to know that during those lonely, scary or worrisome times during a hospital stay, patients can someone of their choosing at their bedside to see them through.”

The new policy was introduced earlier this month and new patients are informed of the changes when they are admitted to the acute care ward and designated supporters are issued with a temporary ID card. Patients can also change their two supporters over their stay.