Guideline 1: Family carer inclusive practices

Family presence is of critical importance to many hospitalised patients, providing them with company, distraction, support, and care. Providing comfortable seating, extended visiting hours, the capacity for a carer to stay overnight (if needed), and family break rooms all help to create a family friendly inpatient environment.

Additionally, family carers often find it difficult to speak to clinicians in the hospital setting. Conversations are often unplanned and unpredictable. To help carers, you could:

• Provide prior warning of ward rounds when feasible (so family can be there),
• Advise of standard ward round times, and/or
• Make a time to speak with the patient and family carer/s.^19,22

If family are unable to be present during "bedside consultations", clinicians can:

• Include family carers in the discussion over the phone, and
• Encourage carers to write questions on a whiteboard or notepad at the patient's bedside.