Infection control

Advice for patients and visitors

The Trust operates a zero tolerance policy towards infection across all its services to keep infection rates to a minumum.

To  keep everyone safe we ask everyone who comes into contact with the Trust to play their part. We look after lots vulnerable people each day, so to keep you, your family, other patients, and our staff safe, we need your help to reduce the spread of infections. 

 

Keep hands clean: Viruses and bacteria can stay on surfaces for some time. To protect yourself and your loved ones, please wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser as often as possible to decontaminate your hands.

You will find hand washing facilities around the Trust and hand sanitizers, where suitable, in some of our buildings.
If your hands are dirty, try not to touch your face (mouth, nose, eyes) as this is an easy way to spread bad bacteria and viruses.

Please use the sinks at the entrance to the wards, or the nearest sink to the entrance, to wash your hands with soap and water. If you are visiting someone who is being barrier-nursed, please wash your hands in the sink in the side room when entering and leaving their room.

Why should you wash your hands? The most common way germs are spread is by them being carried on people’s hands. Handwashing prevents any germs from outside the hospital being brought into the ward environment and being passed on to the patients or contaminating the clinical environment. Washing hands properly with soap and water can help protect not only patients but you, your family and others.

Wear a mask and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):  Where necessary, our staff will offer you a face mask or other PPE to wear. This reduces the risk of cross infection to patients, visitors or staff, so please wear them to protect yourself and others while you are here

Clean environment: Help us maintain a clean environment. Kindly use the waste bin provided for all waste and wash your hands after using tissues to catch coughs and sneezes. If you discover any cleanliness issues on our premises please report it to the nearest reception. Infection control is everyone’s responsibility. 

General advice for hospital visitors

Do not visit the hospital if:

• You feel unwell
• You have had a cough or a cold in the last 48 hours (two days)
• You have had diarrhoea and/or vomiting in the last 72 hours (three days)

When visiting please:

• Do not use patient toilets
• Do not sit on patients’ beds
• Do not share food with patients or sit at the patient's bedside while eating

Advice for patients
If you are a patient, or you are going to be a patient, and you have worries or concerns about any infection control issues, please speak to ward/clinic staff. If they are unable to help, please ask them to contact the infection control team for you.