Our Services: Infection Prevention and Control Team

Top Tips to help prevent the spread of any infection, including winter vomiting disease (norovirus) and 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.
• 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 or diarrhoea 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.
• 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.