We are committed to protecting patients, staff and visitors from the risk of health care associated infections. Health care associated infections are infections acquired in hospitals, or as a result of healthcare treatments. Examples include diarrhoea, vomiting, MRSA and Clostridium difficile.

Everyone has a role in reducing the spread of infection. It is important that patients, staff and visitors work together to reduce the risk of infections and to maintain a clean and safe hospital environment.

As a patient you can help by

• washing your hands carefully with soap and water after using the toilet and before meals (staff should also wash their hands before having direct contact with you)
• only bringing essential items of property when coming into hospital
• keeping your room / bed-space tidy and uncluttered so that domestic staff can clean more easily
• making sure personal toiletries are for your use only, and are stored in your room avoid using bars of soap - use the provided liquid soap instead
• expecting your room to be cleaned daily
• telling the nurse in charge if you are concerned about cleanliness
• let staff know immediately if you have diarrhoea or vomiting

As a visitor you can help by

• washing your hands before and after visiting use alcohol hand-gel where available
• avoid visiting if you are unwell, try to keep your visits to a minimum if there is an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting on the ward you are visiting - the Ward staff will advise you
• not bringing food into the ward without arranging this with the nurse in charge
• telling the nurse in charge if you are concerned about cleanliness