More flexible visiting hours are to be introduced at hospitals across the north.
Patients will be able to ask family, friends and carers to visit at times that better suit everyone involved.
NHS Highland will roll out the initiative from July 25.
It is part of a national strategy by NHS Scotland to provide “person-centred care” and will involve all hospitals across Highland and Argyll.
Kate Patience-Quate, the interim deputy director of Nursing and the lead of the new initiative, hopes the new open visiting hours would get rid of all the confusion around visiting patients and loved ones in hospital.
She said: “When you or a family member, friend or someone you care for is in hospital, it can be a worrying time.
“Contact with people who are close to you is important and family, friends and carers can have a key role in supporting you while in hospital and during your recovery.
“NHS Highland recognises the significance of these relationships and believes that family, friends and carers also have a role in supporting us to plan and deliver safe, effective and person-centred care.”
Heidi May, the board’s director of Nursing, said: “The Welcome/Failte Initiative means that visiting arrangements will be flexible to meet the needs of individuals.
“We’ve worked closely with patients, their relatives, carers as well as our health and social care staff on this and we know it’s something people are really keen for us to pursue.
“There will be occasions when, for clinical reasons, visitors may be asked to come back later or move to another area of the ward for a short period. But I think everyone can understand that.”
The health board has produced an information booklet, promotional banners, posters and social media posts to raise awareness of the open visiting hours changes.
North MSP Kate Forbes said: “The principle of more flexible visiting hours is a good one and I hope it will benefit patients, family and friends across the Highlands.
“This has of course to be balanced with core staff duties, for example nurses doing the drug round, though presumably the health board will have conducted appropriate consultation about this.
“The parking problems at Raigmore Hospital are well-documented, and it will be interesting to see if staggered visiting will help alleviate some of the congestion and capacity issues rather than the set hours.”
