VISITING times on all adult inpatient wards at Barnsley Hospital have been extended.
Visiting times across the hospital had varied greatly, but visitors are now able to see patients between 11am and 8pm daily.
Heather McNair, the hospital's director of nursing and quality, said: "The new visiting times will ensure improved communication between staff, patients and their relatives.
"The longer visiting hours will also encourage relatives and carers to be more involved in patient plan of care to provide a better experience.
"Having consistent visiting times across the trust should also eliminate confusion if patients are moved to different wards across the trust during their stay."
It is hoped the new visiting times will support relatives and carers who may want assist patients with their meals. The 'protected meal times' will remain, and will be predominately aimed at staff not interrupting patients unnecessarily during meal times.
If visitors need to visit outside the new hours they can speak with ward staff who will support where possible.
Visiting hours for the maternity ward, children's ward and intensive care unit remain unchanged.
