Have you been poorly recently? Please don’t visit patients in the hospital

We’re currently experiencing a rise in confirmed cases of norovirus in our hospital.

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Washing hands with soap and water

Our infection control team is working directly with some wards to limit potential spread of infection, and visitors to those areas will be asked to take special preventative measures to minimise opportunities for bugs to spread.

To help protect our most vulnerable inpatients we are asking people to think twice before visiting.

We know how important it is to visit a relative or close friend who is in hospital, particularly at this time of year.

But we ask that if you have had any episode of diarrhoea or vomiting to not visit the hospital until at least 48 hours after your last episode. Likewise, if you have cold or flu-like symptoms, please postpone your visit until you feel better.

Barnsley Hospital Director of Infection Prevention and Control Dr Jyothi Rao said,

“We ask those who are thinking about visiting relatives and friends in hospital not to visit if they have recently had diarrhoea, or have been sick. This helps to avoid spreading illness among patients.

“While this is a difficult ask, especially at this time of year, it’s vitally important that we work together to do all we can to minimise spread of infectious disease in our hospital.”

Please remember to wash your hands using soap and water frequently, and to use hand sanitiser before and after visiting a ward if you do come to visit a relative.

Planning a visit? Help us keep you safe and protect our most vulnerable

If you are planning a visit, we would like you to consider how you can help us protect everyone in the Trust. We have created this best practice guide to help us help you and make sure that this winter we are all doing our best to keep everyone safe.

There many infections and illnesses like colds, flu, and diarrhoea and vomiting bugs such as norovirus that are also harmful. We help protect ourselves and others by being mindful of a few simple steps:

  • Please do not visit the Trust if you are feeling unwell
  • If you have diarrhoea and sickness, please wait until you have been clear of symptoms for 48 hours before you visit or attend for appointments
  • Please remain with the person you are visiting. If other patients ask for assistance, please alert a member of staff.
  • If you are eligible and able to, have your flu jab – make sure you are protected
  • If you have any symptoms of Covid-19, don’t visit
  • Chose to wear a mask or face covering in tight spaces or when asked to do so by hospital staff.
  • Be respectful of people’s space – don’t sit or lay on beds, use the chair provided in ward areas
  • Please remove your outer clothing when visiting, it makes it easier to wash your hands
  • Speak to ward staff regarding gifts and presents for the person you are visiting. Some wards do not permit flowers. Consider putting food items including fruit etc. in a sealed container
  • Wash your hands thoroughly when visiting the toilet
  • Ensure you use visitor toilets and not ones allocated for patients

Give yourselves plenty of time and make sure you adhere to visiting times allocated