Visiting restrictions eased at York Hospital

York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has today eased the visiting restrictions it imposed at the end of January at York Hospital, which were introduced in order to ensure the safety of patients and staff after an outbreak of norovirus.

This was only the second time that the hospital had enforced restricted visiting, a measure which was introduced in a bid to contain the virus and protect patients and staff.

Beverley Geary, Chief Nurse at York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We would like to thank our staff, patients and visitors for their patience and understanding during the last few days.

“Most wards at York Hospital have now reopened and we are in a position where we are able to ease some of the visiting restrictions.  We would however continue to urge visitors to play their part in helping to stop the spread of norovirus.

“Until the restrictions are lifted in full, we are asking that no young children are brought into the hospital for visiting purposes, and we would ask visitors to adhere to good hand hygiene.  Always wash your hands with soap and water before entering and leaving the ward.  This is really important because norovirus is highly contagious.  It is easily spread by contact with an infected person, especially through hands.

“We would also remind visitors that we ask for no more than two visitors, per patient, at a time and not to sit on the beds.

“Ward 35 remains closed and will continue with essential visits only at this time.  The situation is being reviewed on a daily basis and as soon as it is safe to do, we will lift the restrictions.”

Beverley added: “If you have been ill, it is really important that you do not visit until you have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.  Most people recover within one or two days from norovirus, however if symptoms persist (more than 48 hours), the advice is not to come to A&E but to phone your GP or contact NHS 111.”

11 February 2019