A north-east hospital has suspended all non-essential visiting following an outbreak of influenza.
Chalmers Hospital in Banff is also closed to all new admissions, with visiting restricted and enhanced cleaning regimes also in place. NHS Grampian is also urging people with respiratory symptoms to stay at home.
It comes after Public Health Scotland (PHS) earlier this month described the amount of laboratory confirmed influenza this winter as “extraordinary” – with prevalence at 52.6 per 100,000 of the population in the week up to December 29.
A spokesperson for NHS Grampian said: “The hospital is closed to new admissions, visiting is being limited to essential only visits, and enhanced cleaning regimes are in place.
“Influenza and similar illnesses, are very common, especially at this time of year. While unpleasant, most people will recover within a few days. Anyone suffering from any respiratory symptoms should stay at home.”
“We want to thank all staff at the hospital for their hard work at this time, and to patients and their relatives for their understanding and cooperation.”
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The health board gave the following examples of where an essential visit will be supported:
- When someone is reaching the end of their life
- If someone has dementia/delirium and needs family support
- Support for someone with a learning disability
- A family member who has caring responsibilities
- Parents of a child in hospital
- Support during pregnancy and childbirth, including outpatient appointments, ante-natal and post-natal care
- Situations where someone is receiving life-changing information
- Those with acquired communication difficulties, e.g. stroke, aphasia, learning difficulties, or non-diagnosed LD with communication challenges
Any essential visitors should not attend if they have any symptoms of illness.
The spokesperson added: “Do not come to any hospital to visit friends or family if you are feeling ill, even if you think ‘it’s just a sniffle’. What is a sniffle to you, might be a life-threatening flu infection to a vulnerable person.”