Scarborough Hospital urges responsible visiting after two wards are closed

An urgent plea has been issued from health professionals at York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust asking people to think carefully before paying any non-essential visits to Scarborough Hospital.

The hospital currently has two wards closed due to norovirus with a further four partially closed.   

Joanne Southwell, Deputy Director of Operations at Scarborough Hospital, said: “We are specifically asking people who have been unwell not to visit the hospital until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours. This is really important because the virus is highly infectious. The virus is easily spread by contact with an infected person, especially through their hands.

“Closing wards helps us to contain the virus but visitors can play a large part by staying away if possible and we would urge visitors to think carefully before paying any non-essential visits at this time.

“If you do have to visit we ask that you follow guidance, which includes always washing your hands before and after visiting and use the hand sanitizer gel. This is to keep the virus contained and to help visitors to keep themselves safe as well as their friends or relatives.”

Patients, friends and relatives can call the hospital before visiting to find out if a particular ward is affected.

11 February 2014