Hospital meal visit ban imposed

Visiting during meal times has been banned at a hospital in Bedfordshire to encourage patients to eat.

Bedford Hospital has stopped visits during breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The ban, which does not include maternity, paediatrics and neonatal wards, follows a successful trial of the scheme in January.

Non-urgent clinical activity such as blood tests will also be stopped. The aim is to make the wards quieter to encourage patients to eat.

Director of Nursing and Patient Services Colin Ovington said: "We often find patients put their meals to one side if friends and family arrive and so don't eat much or any of their meal.

"But research shows that patients who are not interrupted and receive appropriate support during mealtimes are more relaxed and eat more.

"Good nutrition is really important in helping patients to recover from illness and injury and making sure patients are not disturbed at mealtimes means they can concentrate on their meal."