Families accompanying patients at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) emergency room may soon have a designated place to stay as the hospital prepares space for patient watchers and companions in a building under construction.
The hospital said the ground floor of the new building will serve as a designated area for watchers and companions of patients receiving emergency care, giving families a more appropriate place to stay while remaining near their loved ones.
The plan comes amid concerns over watchers and companions staying in areas outside the medical center.
VSMMC said it continues to enforce its policy allowing only one authorized watcher per patient. Only a screened and authorized companion may stay at the patient’s bedside, a measure intended to prevent overcrowding and help healthcare workers deliver care without unnecessary disruptions.
The hospital acknowledged that the policy can be difficult for families who travel from other parts of Cebu and neighboring provinces and have no immediate place to stay while their relatives are confined.
VSMMC previously worked with local government partners to provide temporary accommodation for eligible watchers. Buses also transported them to designated transient housing facilities and brought them back to the hospital during appropriate visiting or caregiving periods.
However, the arrangement was eventually discontinued because fewer watchers and companions used the accommodation and transportation services.
The hospital said it remains open to working with government and community partners to explore other options for families needing temporary accommodation.
VSMMC also clarified that not everyone staying around the medical center is necessarily a patient watcher. Some may be experiencing homelessness or lack stable housing, requiring coordination with social welfare offices, local government units and other agencies.
The hospital cautioned that the planned space may not accommodate all patients’ families, given its growing patient volume.
VSMMC urged the public to verify information about its policies through official channels and to respect the privacy of patients, families and healthcare workers when documenting situations at the medical center.
Comments