“Not just grapes and flowers”: older people's perspectives on the role and importance of hospital visiting

Purpose – This paper aims to present findings from a service user controlled research project; essentially it seeks to provide commentary by older people on their experiences as visitors to hospital or as patients receiving visitors.Design/methodology/approach – The method of data collection was to facilitate discussions (focus groups) with diverse older people at eight different locations in North Lancashire and South Cumbria. They were asked about their recent experience of hospital visiting and its value to them, given their individual circumstances and those prevailing at the hospitals.Findings – From verbatim transcripts the authors identified particular concerns or vivid experiences of individuals that were interpreted and classified into common themes such as: getting there and back; on the ward; the value of visiting.Research limitations/implications – The project maximised the participation of older people at all stages of the research process.Practical implications – The paper makes recommendati...