Cookies: We use cookies on our website to make it clear, useful and reliable. This includes storing a small amount of data about you. By navigating to other sections of our website, you are consenting to information being stored. Find out more here.
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