Heading 2
Top Tips to help prevent the spread of any infection, including winter vomiting disease (norovirus), respiratory infections and multi drug resistant organisms (MRDO's) e.g. MRSA:
- Make sure your hands are clean – Making sure your hands are clean is one of the most important ways to stop infections spreading. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after going to the toilet. Use the hand hygiene facilities at the hospital or care home (hand washing or alcohol hand rub) before entering the ward / resident's room and after visiting. Look for the notices at the entrance to wards / care homes advising you what to do. If you have been advised or indeed choose to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during your visit then please ensure you wash or gel your hands before putting it on and then again after taking it off. Remember that alcohol based hard rub is not effective against Norovirus or any other vomiting or diarrhoeal illness, hand washing is the most effective in these instances.
- Please don’t visit if you are feeling unwell – If you aren't well enough to visit then you are welcome to phone the ward or care home and leave a message. If you have vomiting, diarrhoea or new respiratory symptoms you should not visit a patient/resident in a hospital or care home until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped. This is important because you can be infectious for up until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped.
- Please keep to the visiting times and to the number of visitors advised. If there are norovirus outbreaks in hospitals there may be additional visitor restrictions. Please follow all advice regarding visiting at this time. During the winter season you might want to check the hospital website or with the ward before you plan a visit.
- In instances where there is an ongoing outbreak, for example Norovirus or a respiratory pathogen such as RSV, flu or COVID-19, then the hospital or care home may have additional visiting restrictions.
- Please watch what you are touching and where you are sitting – don't touch dressings, wounds, drips, catheters or any other equipment round the bed. Please use the chairs provided for visitors
- Please make sure you use the visitors' toilets, not the patients’ toilets.
- Check with the ward before you bring in fresh food or gifts – some wards, for example ICU, won't allow flowers and some may prefer you not to bring in food.
- During outbreaks of norovirus you are best advised not to bring in food from home.
- We also need your help- if you have any concerns about hygiene on the ward or if you are worried or unsure about any infection control issues please talk to the staff who will be happy to assist.
The Care Inspectorate has more tips on visiting care homes.
More information on the winter vomiting bug (norovirus) is available from NHS Inform.
HAIRT Reports
Healthcare Associated Infection Reporting Template (HAIRT)
2024 Reports
- December 2024 – January 2025
- October-November 2024
- August-September 2024
- June-July 2024
- April-May 2024
- February-March 2024
2023 Reports
- December 2023 – January 2024
- October – November 2023
- August-September 2023
- June-July 2023
- April-May 2023
- February-March 2023
2022 Reports
- December 2022-January 2023
- October-November 2022
- August-September 2022
- June-July 2022
- April-May 2022
- February-March 2022
- December 2021 – January 2022
2021 Reports
- NEXT PAGE: Our Services - Mental Health and Learning Disability Services
- LAST REVIEWED ON: March 6, 2025
OTHER PAGES IN THIS SECTION