Hospital ward sign, England, 1948-1970

Ward Sign saying: "'Visiting' - Children under 14 years may visit the patients only by arrangement with the ward sister. Such special visits will be arranged for a time outside normal visiting hours.", 1948-1970

The sign describes the visiting arrangements for a hospital ward. It suggests that the hospital authorities considered that children under the age of fourteen could be noisy and perhaps cause stress and discomfort to patients. Visitors were admitted at the matron’s and ward sister’s discretion, highlighting the key role they played in the day-to-day running of an NHS ward.