Ward-specific infection control updates 2024: latest
Members of the public are being asked not to visit relatives and friends on particular wards at our hospitals to help control cases of COVID-19 and contagious winter illnesses such as Norovirus.
These temporary ward-specific measures are designed to limit the number of people moving in and out of affected areas, which helps to protect vulnerable patients.
Last updated 3 April 2024:
At Gloucestershire Royal Hospital:
- One bay on our Respiratory Unit (Ward 8A/ 8B) is closed
At Cheltenham General Hospital:
- No closed wards
Some wards may be partially closed to visiting or new admissions. We suggest that you check with the ward your relative or friend is on before you arrange to come to either hospital.
We hope that families, carers and friends will understand why we are asking them not to visit for this short period, but we hope to be in a position to re-introduce visiting on these wards in a matter of days. Exceptions can be made for relatives hoping to visit on compassionate grounds or to offer support for people with certain conditions (see the visiting section of our website for details). These visitors are being asked to speak to a member of ward staff when arranging their visiting time.
While we understand the importance of visiting friends or relatives who are in hospital, people mustn't visit if they are or have recently been unwell, as this potentially impacts vulnerable patients who are less able to fight these infections. As detailed on the visiting section of our website, people should not visit if:
- They are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, other respiratory infections or illnesses such as Norovirus
By following these guidelines, the public can help us to stop the spread of these infections, protect vulnerable patients and support NHS services.
Exceptions and compassionate visiting
In some circumstances, it is important to support visiting to happen despite there being restricted visiting in place for infection prevention and control reasons. This may include visiting on compassionate or end of life grounds, accompanying as a birthing partner or supporting provision of care.
In these cases, please ask the ward staff who should contact our Infection Prevention and Control team who will support visiting to happen as safely as practicably possible with all visitors informed of any associated risks.