Limited visiting reintroduced at Poole Hospital
Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust continues to allow limited visiting: two people - family or next of kin only - once a day, preferably in the afternoon, per patient. It is important to stress that this remains at the discretion of the nurse or midwife in charge, and only by prior arrangement.
The restriction on all visitors was introduced as a preventative and proactive step in response to rising cases of norovirus in the community, and has been effective in limiting the spread of the highly infectious illness at the hospital.
Hospitals are particularly susceptible to norovirus because of the large number of people attending each day. High levels of the illness, which can easily spread from person to person, are being seen in the local community.
The amended measures will continue to help the hospital to minimise any spread of the illness and support the effective delivery of health services the public expects.
Martin Smits, director of nursing and patient services, said limitations on visiting were still required.
"We are pleased to be able to vary our visiting restrictions in response to an improved position in terms of norovirus cases in the community and in the hospital,” he said.
"We do understand how frustrating any kind of visiting restrictions can be for those who wish to drop-in on friends and family in hospital, but we also have a duty to safeguard our patients, and our staff, from this illness.
"The position is reviewed daily, and we hope to be able to fully lift all restrictions as soon as possible. Until then, we continue to ask for understanding and support from the communities we serve."
Outpatient clinics, day case and diagnostic services at the hospital continue to be unaffected – however, patients due for an appointment who have had, or been near someone, with diarrhoea or vomiting in the last three days should contact the hospital as soon as possible to discuss their appointment.
ENDS.
Date: 4 April 2012