NHS Gloucestershire Hospitals has warned patients and visitors that face masks and coverings are now required in areas of hospitals. The introduction of the rule comes after a critical incident was declared due to added strain on the hospitals and health service.
A critical incident alert was issued yesterday, Wednesday, January 8, due to the ‘immense’ strain on services at Gloucestershire Hospitals. There is currently a “significant pressure” on the health service due to high levels of winter illnesses.
Patients have been asked to only come to the emergency department for serious or life-threatening conditions. As of 10.22am today, Thursday, January 9, there are 90 people in the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, with an average of an eight hour wait.
There has been a quick rise in winter illnesses, including flu and respiratory sickness since the start of January. In an urgent plea by NHS Gloucestershire Hospitals, staff, patients and visitors have been asked to wear face masks to avoid spreading illness to those most vulnerable.
The temporary face mask rule has been introduced to reduce the risk of spreading illness and infection. NHS Gloucestershire Hospitals added that surgical face masks will be provided on site.
Visitors are required to wear masks in the following areas:
- All direct attend areas e.g. both Emergency Departments, Surgical Assessment Unit, Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC), Maternity Triage, Paediatric Admissions Unit (PAU), Frailty Assessment Service (FAS), Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU), TATU
- Department of Critical Care and Paediatric HDU
- Renal inpatient wards (7th floor at GRH)
- Haematology and Oncology wards including Lilleybrook, Rendcomb, Avening ward and Paediatric oncology unit (Emily Kent), Acute Haematology Oncology Unit (AHOU), Radiotherapy and Oncology outpatients.
- Respiratory Unit (8th floor at GRH)
NHS Gloucestershire Hospitals has warned patients and hospital visitors to be cautious and protect the staff and vulnerable people from winter illness. It said: “Please help us to protect our patients and staff from highly contagious illnesses. COVID-19, influenza, other respiratory infections, norovirus (diarrhoea and vomiting) and measles are easily spread.”
Anyone with symptoms of respiratory illness, such as coughs and colds, is also asked to avoid visiting the hospital where possible. The ward team is available to contact for alternative options for visitors.
The symptoms of flu and other common respirator illnesses include a raised temperature, tiredness and general exhaustion, headaches and general body aches and pains. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, rest at home and keep warm.
Norovirus, known also as the winter vomiting disease, is another highly contagious illness that affects people of all ages. It is spread through water, food, air, direct and indirect contact.
Symptoms of norovirus include vomiting, projectile vomiting, diarrhoea and raised temperatures. If you have experienced any of these symptoms you should isolate in your home for at least two days. There is no treatment for norovirus, but you should drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
NHS Gloucestershire Hospitals has also warned of the risk of measles, which spreads easily and can cause serious health problems. Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms followed by a rash a few days later, some people may also develop small spots in their mouth.
The risk of Covid-19 is high, though most people infected will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness will recover, some may be affected more. Certain, vulnerable people may have their symptoms persist for weeks or months.
COVID-19 symptoms can include:
- a high temperature or shivering (chills)
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- shortness of breath
- feeling tired or exhausted
- an aching body
- a headache
- a sore throat
- a blocked or runny nose
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea
- feeling sick or being sick