IN A bid to help hospital patients recover more quickly, a hospital has made changes to its visiting rules.

The new system at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, has been put together following consultations with staff and patient representatives who canvassed patients and relatives.

Visitors will be limited to three at any one time and visiting hours will now be from 2.30pm to 5pm and 6.30pm to 8pm.

The new hours do not apply to child patients or the maternity unit.

Anyone who wants to visit outside these times will have to make arrangements with ward staff.

Visiting at mealtimes is already discouraged to enable both staff and patients to concentrate on eating their meals.

Relatives who want to help feed patients can make arrangements with staff to do so.

New procedures have also been introduced to help with infection control.

Director of nursing Sarah Dawson said: "We have to be very clear about the needs of our patients and what is best for their recovery.

"They are intended to protect our patients' rest and mealtimes, balanced with receiving visits from family and friends."