Protecting our patients this winter

With cases of Norovirus and Flu circulating in the community this year in addition to COVID-19, we're asking people who are due to attend our hospitals either as a patient or visitor to follow this guidance.

It's important that we do everything we can to limit outbreaks of these diseases, particularly as many of our patients are more vulnerable to the impact of these illnesses and can become very unwell as a result.

Please do not visit or attend if:

• You have tested positive for COVID-19, including via a lateral flow test
• You are displaying symptoms of COVID-19
• You are required to self-isolate because you live in a household where someone has had symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days

Please do not visit or attend if:

• You have experienced diarrhoea and/ or vomiting
• If you are a patient due to have a planned stay in hospital and you develop diarrhoea and/or vomiting just before you are due to come in, please inform the ward / department to let them know. They can advise you whether it is safe for you to come into hospital
• You have recently been in contact with anyone who has diarrhoea and/or vomiting
  

To help prevent the spread of Norovirus:

• Always wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap. You should always do this after using the toilet and before preparing food. This is good practice whether or not you have symptoms
• Do not handle or prepare food for other people until you have been free of symptoms for a minimum of 3 days
• Do not visit hospital until you have been free of symptoms for at least 3 days

Self-care with Norovirus:

• If you are unwell and have symptoms of Norovirus, please stay at home as Norovirus is highly contagious
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and take paracetamol for any fever, aches and pains
• If you feel like eating, eat foods that are easy to digest
• If your symptoms last longer than a few days or if you already have a serious illness, call NHS 111 or your GP surgery for advice

More about Norovirus on NHS UK: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/norovirus/

Flu will often get better on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill. It's important to get the flu vaccine if you're advised to.

Please do not visit or attend if:

• You have flu or flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches and pains (myalgia) and/ or fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache

More about Flu on NHS UK: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/