Hospital visiting restrictions

13 January 2011

Cases of flu are being reported in increasing numbers across the UK—if you have flu-like symptoms, please DO NOT come into the hospital.

Cases of flu are being reported in increasing numbers across the UK.

If you have flu-like symptoms, please DO NOT come into the hospital. If you need medical advice, contact your GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.

In addition, the Trust has restricted visiting arrangements for inpatient areas as follows in order to protect patients:

Maternity Unit

Pregnant women and children aged under 5 are among the most vulnerable groups of patients at higher risk of contracting flu. In order to protect women and babies, the Trust has restricted visiting arrangements for the Maternity Unit as follows:

  • Visiting times remain the same
  • However, visiting is restricted to two nominated visitors only who should be the same throughout the patient's stay
  • NO children will be allowed
  • Any person who has flu symptoms should not visit the Maternity Unit

Following consultation with women and their families, and our infection control team, we have reviewed the arrangements for doulas. We recognise that doulas are an important way of supporting women in labour and are relaxing the restriction on doulas, however restrictions on other visitors and birth attendants will remain in place until the end of January when we will be reviewing the arrangements in the light of the flu status at that time.

Children’s wards & Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

In order to protect children and babies, the Trust has restricted visiting arrangements for children’s inpatient wards and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) as follows:

  • Visiting times remain the same
  • However, visiting is restricted to two primary carers only who should be the same throughout the child’s stay
  • NO children visitors will be allowed
  • Any person who has flu symptoms should not visit the children’s wards or NICU

All other inpatient areas

The Trust has restricted visiting arrangements for all other inpatient areas as follows:

  • Visiting times remain the same
  • However, visiting is restricted to two visitors only who should be the same throughout the patient’s stay
  • NO children will be allowed
  • Any person who has flu symptoms should not visit an inpatient area

Thank you for your co-operation at this time.

The symptoms of flu include a fever of 38°C or higher, and two or more of the following symptoms:

  • unusual tiredness
  • headache
  • runny nose
  • sore throat
  • shortness of breath or cough
  • loss of appetite
  • aching muscles and joints
  • diarrhoea and/or vomiting

If you are concerned that you may have flu, we would advise you to stay at home to limit your contact with others.

If you need medical advice, please contact your GP or contact NHS Direct by calling 0845 4647 or visiting their website.

Please follow this advice rather than coming to the A&E Department at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.