A fifth Welsh health board is asking visitors to wear face masks on hospital sites as the number of flu cases increase. From Monday, staff and visitors to Swansea Bay University Health Board sites being asked to wear them at all times.
Last week, four health boards did the same. Hywel Dda Health Board are asking visitors to Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli to wear face masks, while Cardiff and Vale University, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University and Aneurin Bevan Health Boards are asking visitors to wear masks at all their sites. You can read more about this here.
On Monday, a spokesman for the Swansea health board said that with flu causing “significant challenges”, they are “strengthening the response” in order to protect patients and staff. The risk of acquiring flu is high as case numbers are increasing across Wales. In Swansea Bay alone, there are 20 wards with inpatients with influenza, with 53 confirmed cases and 93 exposed contacts.
There has also been an increase in staff absence because of flu, something which is causing particular operational pressures given the time of year. They are also restricting visiting to the hospitals. Get a free digest of the latest Welsh headlines delivered to your email inbox every day
They say the measure can reduce the risk of transmitting respiratory viruses and help minimise the risk of anyone carrying a virus passing it on to others. Additional measures are also in place, including temporary restrictions on visiting and the testing of symptomatic patients.
Masks will be made available at the volunteers desks at the front entrances to Singleton, Neath Port Talbot and Morriston hospitals.
The hospitals have also seen a temporary reintroduction of “visiting with a purpose” on all wards. This allows for one friend or relative to visit a patient under special circumstances. For example, visiting someone who is in the last days of their life, or who has a memory impairment, or who needs a high level of emotional support.
Visits must be agreed in advance with ward staff, and visiting is restricted to one hour a day and visiting in assessment areas is by permission of the ward manager only.
Swansea Bay’s interim director of nursing and patient experience, Hazel Powell, said: “Seasonal flu is affecting patients on several wards and infection prevention actions are being taken.
“Our local community can help us avoid outbreaks by not visiting family and friends in hospital if feeling unwell. Annual flu vaccination is also undoubtedly the best way to protect you against catching or spreading flu.
“Not only can it prevent you from becoming very unwell, but it can also help reduce your risk of secondary infections, such as pneumonia, which can be very dangerous, particularly if you are clinically vulnerable.”
The health board has also said vaccinations are available this week on Thursday, January 2, and Friday, January 3, in the Aberafan Shopping Centre LVC from 9.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-4.30pm. The Immbulance will also be located at Morfa Retail Park, Swansea, on Friday, January 3, with the same opening hours as the Aberafan LVC.