Chatting to other visitors on the wards - one visitor's personal view

Striking up a conversation with other visitors on the ward can be fun and can also be a chance to learn useful tips. On a simple level, they may be able to tell how to make better use of the television/telephone by the bed, where to park if the carpark is full, the location of a drinks/snack machine or advise you on the best times to visit the canteen.

At a deeper level, they may be able to share some of their good and bad experiences of the hospital. Obviously, you are only hearing their opinion but, often, it is helpful to learn that you are sharing frustrations. It may also lead to a way of sorting things out.

Always be sensitive to the needs of other relatives. Some will find coping with their sick loved ones more than enough to cope with and may not wish to get involved with anyone else's situation.

A good ward manager and her team are, of course, always on hand to help. However it can be helpful if they discover that some visitors have things in common. Sometimes a problem shared really can be a problem halved.

Jill - a personal view