"Rehab courtyard"

I am a current patient on ward 1A at the state rehab service. Most patients are long stay, 6-9 months, so we have a washing machine to do our washing. We can then hang our washing on the clothesline in the courtyard, which is accessed via the patient dining room. Unfortunately there is an electronic automatic door to the courtyard, which is turned off at 6pm daily. As with most people in the community I do my washing after dinner as I am too busy with physio and OT during the day, at which time I don't have access to the courtyard to hang out my washing. The courtyard is on the first floor, and you are unable to leave the building through the courtyard. I can not find any logical reason to restrict access to the courtyard at anytime, especially at 6pm. Could we allow access to the courtyard until at least 10pm, if not 24 hours access.