Visitors can stay longer at hospital
Bosses at Stafford Hospital have said relatives of vulnerable patients will be allowed to visit them during meal times to ensure they eat properly.
Antony Sumara, chief executive of the hospital, said relatives will be welcomed by staff if they visit during meal times.
The news has been welcomed by campaigners who want to see greater access for relatives outside of normal visiting hours.
One of the key criticisms of the hospital in the damning Healthcare Commission report was that patients were not being fed or watered properly.
Mr Sumara said: "I know there are concerns that some patients may not be getting enough help at meal times when they're very poorly and may not be able to feed themselves.
"I'd like to reassure relatives and friends that they are very welcome on our wards to be with their loved ones at meal times."
He added: "We try to avoid having activities such as doctors' rounds and tests happening at meal times.
"When patients are admitted to hospital we know that on occasions their loved ones may wish to stay with them. We want to encourage people to feel that they can do this and the nurse in charge of the ward will support in making this decision."
Julie Bailey, from Cure the NHS, said this was good news but urged the trust to ensure the hospital was open 24 hours a day to relatives.
She said: "This is a good thing because we want more scrutiny of what is going on. We're still really concerned about some of the things still happening and the more eyes in the hospital the better."
