Trust issues infection warning

THE Southern Health and Social Care Trust has warned visitors to adhere to hospital policy or risk spreading infection.

The Trust’s visiting guidelines include: visitors being asked to wash their hands/use the alcohol hand rub on entering and leaving the ward; restriction of visitors to a maximum of two at any one time; patients are encouraged to have a clear locker top to allow surfaces to be easily cleaned; not to bring unnecessary items, flowers or food into the hospital, children under the age of 13 being accompanied by an adult; visitors being asked not to sit on the bed or touch wounds, drips or drains; people being urged not to visit if they or someone in their household has symptoms of cold, flu, vomiting or diarrhoea.

Dr Philip Murphy, the Trust’s Associate Medical Director for Unscheduled Care and Medicine said, “All patients in hospital are there because they need specialist care and attention.

“We understand that people are concerned for their friends and family members whilst in hospital but would ask them to restrict visiting to allocated times and follow visiting guidance,” he added.