Trust asks flu sufferers to avoid hospital visits

Geraldine Hillick, Western Trust Director of Acute Services, said: "Western Trust hospitals are working hard to provide clinical care in circumstances of increased levels of flu type illnesses along with other seasonal sickness such as the winter vomiting bug, which is prevalent in the community.

"The public can show their support and cooperation for healthcare staff by ensuring that hospital services are freed up to provide for those patients requiring them.

"People who think they have flu and who are normally healthy should be able to recover at home with the usual flu remedies.

"If symptoms do not improve you are advised to contact your GP or your GP out of hours service rather than attend an Accident and Emergency Department which is for people who are seriously ill and require immediate medical assistance."

She asked that people with flu-like symptoms refrain from visiting local hospitals.

Visiting

"The Trust is asking for the public's cooperation with its Hospital Visiting Policy which has an important role in protecting against the spread of infections.

"People should avoid visiting any of the Trust's hospitals if they are feeling unwell, particularly if they have coughs, colds or flu-like symptoms; have diarrhoea and/or vomiting; or have any infectious condition.

"Those who are visiting are asked to thoroughly wash their hands or use alcohol hand rub both before and after visiting.

"Visitors, which are limited to two at the patient's bedside, are asked to respect visiting times and we would advise them not to bring children under-14 to visit.

"Visitors should visit only one patient whilst at the hospital, refrain from sitting on hospital beds and not move among patients and from ward to ward when visiting," she advised.