Hospital’s urgent plea to think before you visit
An urgent plea has been issued by health professionals at York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust asking the public to think carefully before paying any non-essential visit to hospital.
Some hospitals are currently experiencing a high l evel of norovirus which in order to be contained means wards and bays are being shut.
This results i n beds being unavailable and increases pressure on the hospital’s system.
Cl os i ng wards hel ps t o contain the virus but visitors can play a large part by staying away if possible.
The hospital are urging visitors to think carefully before paying any non-essential visits.
B e v e r l e y G e a r y, C h i e f Nurse, said: “We are urging people who have been unwell with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting not to visit the hospital until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.
“This is really important because the vi r us i s highly infectious and it is being brought into the hospital.
“The virus is easily spread by contact with an infected person, especially through their hands.”
Guidance i s bei ng provided for visitors to hospital which includes always washi ng hands before and after visiting. This keeps the virus contained and goes towards protecting visitors as well as their friends or relatives.
Ms Gearley s ai d: “Most people recover within one or two days from norovirus, however if symptoms persist (more than 48 hours), the advice is not to come to A&E but to phone the GP or NHS 111.
“Visiting may be restricted and we would urge visitors to think carefully before paying any non-essential visits at this time. Patients, f riends and relatives can call the hospital before visiting to find out if a particular ward is affected.”