Richard Baum

Three local hospitals have announced visitor restrictions in response to the horrible “norovirus” vomiting bug which has been sweeping the country and which you may have read about in the news.

The Health Protection Agency have said that around 100,000 people are contracting the condition each week, which is more than ever before.

Visitor restrictions previously in place at The Royal Oldham Hospital to help protect patients from the risk of the condition have now been extended to cover Fairfield General Hospital, North Manchester General Hospital, and Rochdale Infirmary..

All hospital appointments should still be attended as normal – the restrictions only apply to people who are planning to visit friends or relatives in hospital.

The restrictions have been imposed as part of infection prevention precautions designed to protect both patients and visitors.

The restrictions mean that people must not visit if they are suffering from stomach complaints such as diarrhoea and vomiting. If they have, then they should wait 48 hours after the symptoms have cleared before visiting. Also, people with coughs, colds and sneezes should not visit at all. Only family and close friends should visit patients, and numbers should be limited to a maximum of two. In addition, children should not visit.

It is particularly important that any visitors to the hospital wash their hands to reduce the risk of infection to themselves and patients.

Advice leaflets have been distributed throughout the hospitals, explaining the reason for the restrictions, and stressing the importance of supporting the infection control work.

Obviously I hope nobody has to visit close friends or relatives in hospital at all, but if you do, please bear in mind these new and temporary restrictions which serve to protect both your loved ones in hospital and their fellow patients, as well as yourselves.

Rick