In recent years, public hospitals have become more conscious of the need to provide services in a more family friendly environment. Significant progress has been made in many hospitals with regard to such matters as more open and varied visiting times, particularly for family members visiting patients in maternity and paediatric hospitals. Other initiatives include the provision of crèche facilities and the introduction of flexible working hours for staff members.
The provision of crèche facilities is a matter for hospital management in the first instance and is dependent on a number of factors such as the availability of proper accommodation, resources, demand for the service, the availability of suitably qualified staff and other competing demands.