Hospitals across Dumfries and Galloway are reopening for normal visiting after two weeks of restricted visiting.
From Friday 19 December, there will be no restrictions on visiting anyone in a ward in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, Midpark Hospital, Galloway Community Hospital or any cottage hospital – and no need to call to arrange visits in advance. Visitors will still have to wear masks at all times in clinical areas and have been asked not to remove them when talking to patients, in order to reduce the risk of passing on an infection.
Visiting had been restricted to essential visiting only (newborn infants and children, end-of-life patients, and patients with mental illness) since 5 December, in order to help stop the spread of flu and other respiratory diseases. But public health experts now believe that the threat has reduced in the region sufficiently to allow normal visiting to resume.
However, the threat posed by these diseases has not disappeared. Staff in all clinical areas will continue to wear masks, and visitors are asked to do the same – as are GP practice staff.
NHS DG public health consultant Keith Allan urged everyone to take care not to pass on infections to others.
“First of all, please wear a mask at all times in the wards or other clinical areas. Don’t take it off, not even to talk to the person you’re visiting, until you are back outside the ward again.
“Handwashing can help reduce the spread of infection as well. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating and after using the lavatory.
“Also, please don’t visit at all if you’re feeling unwell – even mild symptoms can spread easily to vulnerable patients and can make them seriously unwell.
“We’re very grateful to all the visitors for their understanding and support over the last two weeks. Especially over the holidays, isolation can be a painful experience for someone in hospital. Staying cautious and keeping everyone safe during your visit is the best way of ensuring that visiting can continue.”
Masks catch the water droplets in exhaled air which spread flu from person to person – droplets can also spread norovirus, which is highly infectious and typically causes vomiting and diarrhoea.
Handwashing using soap and water will also reduce the risk of transmitting flu or norovirus to another person (hand sanitiser is not effective against norovirus).
Infectious diseases like flu and norovirus are particularly disruptive in inpatient settings such as hospitals and cottage hospitals. Even a small number of cases can mean restricted visiting or wards being closed to admissions, in order to prevent further spread and protect vulnerable patients.
Vaccination is also a highly effective way of preventing infection and transmission of flu.
Dr Allan said: “If you’re eligible for flu or COVID vaccination, please take up the offer.
“Vaccination helps your body safely produce antibodies so you’re prepared to fight the infection if you meet the real virus. It means you’re less likely to become seriously unwell, and less likely to pass the illness on to others.
“You can book a vaccination appointment online or by phone right now, or come to one of our drop-in flu vaccination clinics.”
Most people with mild flu or norovirus symptoms can manage their illness at home with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter remedies.
Those who are concerned about their symptoms or are in a higher-risk group can seek advice via NHS Inform, NHS 24 on 111, or from their GP or local pharmacist.
Anyone eligible for a flu or COVID vaccination who has not yet received it is encouraged to book an appointment through the online vaccination portal at https://vacs.nhs.scot/csp or by calling the local vaccination helpline on 01387 403090.
More information about vaccination is available at www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/
Drop-in clinics for flu vaccination will be operating for the rest of December, providing free flu vaccines for anyone eligible – see www.nhsdg.co.uk/news for times and places.