Family and friends will be about visit patients for longer periods due to visiting times being extended across all inpatient wards at a hospital.

Visiting times at Northwick Park Hospital, in Watford Road, Harrow, were previously restricted to separate afternoon and evening sessions.

But now patients can be visited from 11am to 9pm.

Specialist wards such as maternity, neonatal, critical care and children’s wards will still remain the same at the hospital, which is run by the London North West Healthcare NHS Trust.

Chief nurse Amanda Pye said: “We know that being in hospital can be a stressful experience for our patients and their loved ones.

“For most patients having their family and friends visit them while in hospital is the highlight of their day and can enhance their recovery.

“Visitors also tell us that by extending our visiting times and being more flexible it makes visiting much easier to fit around their work and other commitments.”

For more information about visiting times, please visit: lnwh.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/visitors/visiting-times/