Chelsea and Westminster visiting restrictions
20 December 2012
We recognise that visitors are important to our patients’ wellbeing, but at this time of year the risk of visitors spreading norovirus (diarrhoea and vomiting—D&V), colds and flu is so high that we need to restrict visiting to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.
We recognise that visitors are important to our patients’ wellbeing, but at this time of year the risk of visitors spreading norovirus (diarrhoea and vomiting—D&V), colds and flu is so high that we need to restrict visiting to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.
We ask for your co-operation to ensure that we can deliver safe care.
If you have had diarrhoea or vomiting in the last 72 hours you should not visit a patient under any circumstances. You may still be infectious.
If you are visiting please clean your hands before contact with your relative and before leaving the ward.
Visitor restrictions:
- General Wards: Limited to two visitors per patient. In the event of an outbreak of D&V visiting will be restricted further.
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) / Burns ICU and High Dependency Unit (HDU): Immediate family only
- Children’s Wards and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): Child’s parents only
- Maternity: Mother’s partner or other named support person only
These measures are temporary but will be in effect until further notice to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our patients and visitors.
If you have had D&V in the last 72 hours and need to reschedule your outpatient appointment at the hospital, please contact us on 020 3315 6666 and we will arrange another appointment date with you.
We do not take this decision to restrict visiting lightly—we know it causes upset for the family and friends, and the patients themselves who look forward to seeing their loved ones.
Please be assured that our patients have been informed that visitors have been restricted and there is a phone by every bed so that you can either speak or leave a message for patients.
If you would like to discuss this further, please speak to the nurse in charge by calling our switchboard on 020 8746 8000 and asking for the ward where your relative is being cared for.
Thank you for your co-operation at this difficult time.
Therese Davis
Chief Nurse and Director of Patient Flow and Experience