Here we explain how you can help us to prevent and control infection when you come to our hospitals.

You can also find out about how to help keep yourselves and others safe while attending our hospitals during coronavirus (COVID-19).

Visitors

• Wash your hands when you enter and when you leave the ward. Use a squirt of the alcohol gel provided. Rub it into the front and back of your hands and leave it to dry.
• Do not visit if you are unwell.
• If there is an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting on the ward you are visiting, ward staff will let you know whether you can still visit.
• Plan your visits so there are only two people at the bedside at any one time.
• Do not sit on any hospital beds.
• Do not touch your relative/friend’s wound or any medical equipment provided for them.
• Check with nursing staff before bringing babies and young children to visit.
• Do not bring food on to the ward without arranging this with the nurse in charge. Any food should be stored correctly – ask a member of staff to help you with this.
• Tell the nurse in charge if you are concerned about cleanliness.
• Do not bring flowers or plants into the hospital.
• You may have to take special precautions if the person you are visiting has an infection and is put into isolation, on a side ward away from other patients. Please follow the advice that ward staff give you. We usually advise children and those who are frail or unwell not to visit patients who are in isolation.

Patients

• Wash your hands regularly and carefully with soap and water or use alcohol hand rub:

• whenever your hands are dirty

• before and after eating your meals

• after using the toilet.

• Bring your own personal toiletries with you, such as flannels, sponges, moist hand wipes and razors, and do not allow others to use them.
• Ensure you have regular washes, showers or baths, where available. Please ask our staff if you need any help.
• Avoid using bars of soap – use the liquid soap we provide instead.
• Staff should wash their hands before having direct contact with you. If you are in any doubt, ask them to – they will be happy to do so.
• Keep your room or bed space tidy and uncluttered, so domestic staff can clean more easily.
• Expect your room to be cleaned every day.
• Expect to have fresh bed linen at least once a week.
• Tell the nurse in charge if you are concerned about cleanliness.
• Let staff know straight away if you have diarrhoea or vomiting.

Who can I contact with queries and concerns?

If you have any concerns or would like more information, please contact the manager of the ward or area affected.