There are a number of ways visitors and patients can help prevent the spread of infection across our hospitals.
Clean hands
One of the easiest and most effective ways of preventing the spread of infection from one person to another is cleaning your hands.
If you have visited our hospitals you will have noticed our wards have alcohol gel dispensers at the entrances for all staff and visitors to use to combat the spread of infections.
Who should wash their hands and when?
Everyone! Patients, visitors and staff alike should all wash their hands on a regular basis to reduce the spread of infection.
For visitors, it is essential to wash their hands with soap and water:
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if their hands are dirty when you arrive at the ward
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after visiting the toilet
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before touching or eating food
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before and after visiting a patient.
For staff who have direct contact with patients, it is essential they wash their hands with soap or use the alcohol gel: before and after treating any patient (and between contact with other patients).
When visiting our hospitals
Please refrain from visiting patients in hospital if you are feeling unwell, especially if you are suffering from vomiting or diarrhoea, unless absolutely necessary. If in doubt, please contact the ward you plan to visit and check with them first. Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after visiting patients. Make sure you use the alcohol gel found outside our wards before visiting a patient / entering a ward.
