Patients in NSW public hospitals could have visitors at any hour of the day or night if a trial in four Sydney hospitals is embraced.
The 24-hour visitor program has been trialled at Balmain Hospital over the past month and will be extended to Royal Prince Alfred, Canterbury Hospital and Concord Hospital by Christmas.
The results will be presented to NSW Health next year to consider rolling out the program state-wide, Sydney Local Health District chief executive Teresa Anderson told AAP on Monday.
Dr Anderson said the scheme acknowledged patients' family and friends had busy lives and traditional visiting hours were "challenging".
Research has shown the benefits of "loved ones" being actively involved in patient care - including fewer re-admissions and medication errors, better consistency of treatment and decreased stress and anxiety.
"They also know a lot about the patient that we don't," Dr Anderson said.
A handbook has been produced for visitors about the initiative and hospital staff have received further training.
"Our experience has been a very positive one and our patients and their families have been very supportive and have been working with us. We want to get this right," she said.
The idea has "some merit" as long as it remains limited to pre-approved visitors who have a close connection to the patient and are in a non-clinical caring role, according to the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association.
"This should not be seen as open slather to the public, but more opportunities to allow close family members and friends of patients to visit them in hospital and, if appropriate, visit outside normal visiting times," association general secretary Brett Holmes said in a statement.
Visitation must be in the patient's interest and not compromise the safety of those working or staying in a ward, he said.
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