Ever tried to rush through traffic to make visiting hours at a hospital, only to be told you’re five minutes late?

We have too. And we think there’s a better way.

At Nurture Health, a leading network of physical rehabilitation hospitals in South Africa, we believe healing happens not just through therapy or medicine, but through connection. That’s why we’ve made a very deliberate choice to keep our visiting hours flexible — for our patients and for their loved ones.

That flexibility isn’t just convenient — it’s evidence-based. Here’s why it matters, and what the research has to say about it.

People Recover Better When They're Not Alone – And the Research Proves It

The benefits of flexible visiting aren’t just warm and fuzzy — they’re backed by science.

Research shows that flexible visiting:

• Lowers stress, anxiety, and confusion — especially for patients in physical rehabilitation settings
• Boosts motivation and emotional well-being during recovery
• Keeps families informed, engaged, and part of the care journey
• Encourages family-centered care, which improves satisfaction and discharge readiness
• Enhances communication and trust between healthcare teams and loved ones

A 2013 study in Critical Care Medicine found that open visitation in ICUs reduced anxiety and delirium without increasing infection risk or staff burnout. Another review in the Journal of Patient Experience linked family involvement to shorter hospital stays and better therapy outcomes.

When patients feel emotionally safe and supported, stress hormones like cortisol decrease — which boosts healing, improves sleep, and increases engagement in therapy. In other words: people recover better when they’re surrounded by people who care.

Rehab Is Personal — Visiting Should Be Too

In our physical rehab facilities across South Africa, recovery isn’t just clinical — it’s personal. Whether someone is learning to walk again after a stroke, regaining strength after an accident, or adapting to a new way of life, rehab can be emotional and intense.

A friendly face can change everything. We’ve seen patients light up during therapy because their spouse or child showed up. We’ve seen motivation return in moments of shared progress.

But we also get that life is full.

Some family members can only visit before their night shift. Others after the school run. Grandparents may need to coordinate a lift. That’s why our visiting policy for rehab hospitals is intentionally flexible — to respect the reality of modern life.

We Trust You to Know What Feels Right

We’re not about open-door chaos — and we’re also not about rigid rules that make families feel excluded.

At Nurture Health, we believe in kindness with common sense.

💬 Want to visit during therapy? Let us know — we’ll gladly involve you.
😴 Need a quiet moment with your loved one? We’ll protect that space.
⏰ Coming in after work? Totally fine — just let the nurse know.

It’s all about balancing rest, routine, and real-life schedules — for patients and their support networks.

And If You Can’t Visit — That’s Okay Too

We know that support for patients and families looks different for everyone.

Work, childcare, finances, distance, and emotional overwhelm are real. If you can’t visit as often as you’d like (or at all right now), please don’t feel guilty.

There are still many ways to stay connected — a quick voice note, a video call, or even a card or letter. Even the smallest gesture can brighten someone’s day.

We don’t measure love in minutes spent at the bedside. We see it in intention, effort, and care — in whatever form it takes.

The Bottom Line: Recovery Happens Together

Whether it’s cheering someone on during their first steps after surgery, helping with speech exercises, or sitting quietly while they nap — your presence matters.

So no, we don’t stick to strict 3–5pm visiting slots like many hospitals. At Nurture Health, we’re redefining what flexible hospital visiting means in the context of rehabilitation care. It’s part of our commitment to patient-centered, emotionally intelligent healthcare.

We believe in creating spaces that are safe, inclusive, and family-friendly — because that’s what real healing needs.

Have a story to share about your experience with flexible visiting at Nurture Health? We’d love to hear it. Drop us a message or stop by the nurses’ station anytime.