How magnanimous of them to allow you there to help comfort your wife. I am sure she and your father in-law would have wanted you there on the other days also.

It is a shame nothing can be done about the hospitals rules. Maybe one day someone will take the hospital to court for aggravated mental distress. There can be no reason for not allowing family members from the same house hold living in the same area, from visiting a family member in the hospital other than to cause mental distress in family members.