"Visiting hours"

I came to the Albany Hospital to visit my parent recently. We live over 70kms away and I have a full time job as well as farm animals to care for.  I was told when I arrived just before 2pm that I wasn't allowed to visit them as the visiting hours started at 3pm. 

I explained my situation and that this would mean I would be driving home in the dark.  I was flat out told no, with no thought or consideration given to my circumstances.  The visiting hours allowed do not take into account country people and the fact that many of us have to travel over an hour just to get here. 

As a healthcare worker I am embarrassed by the treatment I've received.  At the place where I work we are always mindful of the distances people have to travel either to visit or attend appointments and try to accommodate wherever possible. It shouldn't be our aim to make what is already a stressful time any worse. The restricted visiting hours may have be acceptable during COVID but I feel there is no reason to enforce them so strictly now.