Neonatal units' visiting policies and parental experience of open-access

A survey of visiting policies in neonatal units in the UK and Ireland was conducted and parental experiences with open-access were examined across two neonatal units (one recently introduced it; another has had it in place for five years).

Units were contacted by email or telephone to complete the survey. Parents at two units prospectively completed a questionnaire.

Eighty percent (169/212) of units participated in the survey. Among these, 88 % implemented complete open-access for parents, 7 % partial and 5 % restricted. 141/169 units (83.4 %) allowed parents during bedside ward rounds. Of these, 26 (18.4 %) required use of noise-cancelling headphones. Two persons per patient were allowed in 106 units (63 %), three in 44 (26 %) and four or more in 19 (11 %). Visitors must be accompanied by a parent. Siblings could visit at any time in 112 units (66 %), 48 during fixed hours (28 %) and 9 never allowed them (5 %); two units allowed siblings during summer months (1 %). In the two units, 87 % of 15 and 89 % of 20 parents were satisfied with the level of access. Concerns about confidentiality were expressed by 13 % and 20 % reported feeling a little worried about overhearing others' information or vice versa. Parents benefitted from open-access by feeling more welcome, less stressed and able to plan their visits more seamlessly. Open-access was perceived to improve the babies' quality of care through greater parental involvement and time spent together.

Visiting policies varied between units; open-access was regarded as beneficial to parent and infant wellbeing.