WEST Fifers visiting loved ones in hospital will soon be able to spend more time with them as NHS Fife has moved to extend and standardise visiting hours across all its hospitals.

The change means that family and friends are now able to visit their loved ones from 2PM until 8PM every day.

Previously, visiting times varied across NHS Fife hospitals and their respective wards. However, the changes mean that all hospitals now operate to the same times, making visiting patients easier and more convenient.

The improvements have been made following dialogue with patients, families, and friends who expressed a preference for extending times and applying them uniformly across all hospitals.

Executive director of nursing, professor Scott McLean, said, “We understand the important role that visits by family and friends play in a patient’s recovery and that is why it is important that visiting times are as accessible as possible.

“I am delighted that NHS Fife has moved to improve visiting times as this means that, regardless of what hospital a patient is in, loved ones know when they will be able to visit and can be confident making arrangements.

“Of course, there will be some situations where these new times will not suit visitors. In these instances we will continue to be as flexible as possible to help facilitate alternative arrangements.”