Seasonal viruses - help keep our patients safe

A high number of seasonal viruses are circulating in our community, including norovirus. Additional infection control measures are in place in our hospitals to protect patients, visitors and staff.

We ask anyone visiting loved ones in hospital or attending appointments to help limit the spread of these viruses. If you have symptoms of any viruses, including flu and tummy bugs, please reschedule your appointment and avoid visiting loved ones at our hospitals until you have been symptom-free for 48 hours.

Unless you are unwell with symptoms of infectious conditions such as flu, Covid or norovirus, please attend all routine appointments at the hospital. Please continue to use NHS services if you need medical help. We would like to remind members of the public that our emergency departments are to be used only in cases of medical emergency. If you can safely use other services, such as NHS 111, your local pharmacy or your GP, please do so.

If you or your child become unwell with norovirus, you can usually treat the condition at home. Please rest, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid contact with the vulnerable, attending school or work until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped. Sufferers are also advised to wash their hands regularly with warm water and soap. Alcohol hand sanitiser does not kill norovirus.

If you need to visit someone who is in the last days of their life and have symptoms, please inform the staff looking after them so we can try to arrange for you to visit safely.

For further information, including when to seek medical help, see: Norovirus (vomiting bug) - NHS