Longer visiting times have been introduced in the three hospitals in the Western Isles.
The new visiting hours are from 11am to 8pm, seven days a week.
NHS Western Isles said it recognised that support from family and friends, in the form of hospital visits, is an integral part of any patient’s recovery.
A spokesperson said: "If relatives or friends wish to visit outwith this time, we aim to be flexible, and this can be discussed with the senior charge nurse."
NHS Western Isles also runs what is called "protected mealtimes," so patients are not disturbed by a clinician during mealtimes.
However, family members are welcome during protected mealtimes to assist or encourage eating.
Approximate times for meals are:
Some exceptions apply to the new standardised visiting hours.
Parents are allowed to visit their children in hospital at any time of the day or night.
Patients with dementia and their carers are empowered to work with their named nurse to set a personalised visiting schedule that works best for them.
Other exceptions can be discussed with individual senior charge nurses.
Longer visiting times for Western Isles hospitals
21 August 2016