When you come to hospital, bring your essentials but make sure it’s not infection and bugs, Bradford hospital staff have urged.
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is asking people to help them protect patients and staff by avoiding coming into hospital if they have any symptoms of illness.
This includes any symptoms of COVID-19, flu and colds as well as symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea, associated with winter-related norovirus.
The Trust, which runs Bradford Royal Infirmary, St Luke’s Hospital, Westwood Park and Westbourne Green community hospitals, Shipley Hospital, The Meadows Unit at Eccleshill Hospital and Skipton Dialysis Unit, is asking anyone planning to visit any of their hospitals to stay at home if they – or their family members – are themselves unwell.
Chief Nurse, Karen Dawber said: “We fully understand how people want to visit family members when they in hospital, particularly during these times when the COVID-19 pandemic has kept us apart from our loved ones for so long.
“But our priority must be to keep our patients, staff and visitors as safe as possible and in order to protect everyone from COVID-19 and other infections and bugs, we’re asking the public to reduce the spread of these viruses and infections by not coming into our hospitals to visit relatives and friends if they are unwell or have symptoms of illness.
“If they have any symptoms of COVID-19, they should self-isolate and take a test. Anyone suffering from vomiting or diarrhoea or who has a fever or flu-like symptoms should also stay away from visiting the hospital until at least 48 hours after the end of their symptoms.
“We are approaching the time of year when these viruses and infections increase but by following a few simple precautions we can help prevent passing them on to others and by doing so, can keep our loved ones and each other safe. Our patients are particularly vulnerable and we must do all we can to protect them.”
Ms Dawber reminded visitors of the precautions they should follow when visiting the Trust’s family of hospitals or when coming into hospital for appointments.
“All visitors should remember to wash their hands thoroughly when entering and leaving the hospital and to use the alcohol gel provided at ward and department entrances and exits throughout their visits.
“Visiting is still restricted at our hospitals but we know how important it is for people to stay in touch with their loved ones, so I would like to remind people that we have put in place a number of resources to support family members and visitors who are still unable to visit patients. These resources can be found on our website.”
Visiting is now allowed for inpatients of over seven days on the Trust’s hospitals’ green wards. For all other patients, visiting is only allowed under exceptional circumstances.
Full details about visiting and the ways you can keep in touch with loved ones who are in hospital, please visit: https://www.bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk/information-about-coronavirus/
Getting the right treatment
There are many different ways that people can get help themselves get the right treatment and allow busy NHS services to help the people who need them most.
The options are:
- Self-care – look after yourself at home with a well-stocked medicine cabinet
- Pharmacist (chemist) – for expert advice on common illnesses and the best medicines to treat them
- GP (Doctor) – for illnesses that just will not go away, arrange to see your doctor
- Call 111 – if you need urgent healthcare, contact NHS 111 which will help you access the local service that can help you best
- A&E or 999 – only if you need very urgent medical attention.
Check out the symptoms and treatment of norovirus at www.nhs.uk
ENDS …