Visitors hoping to see loved ones in west Wales hospitals over the new year period are being asked to stay away if they are suffering from any sickness symptoms as the current healthcare crisis continues across the country. Hywel Dda University Health Board – which manages the hospitals in Llanelli, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest, and Aberystwyth – has issued an urgent appeal to people planning to visit relatives at any of its sites.
Health bosses are asking people to only attend any of the region’s hospitals if they are “free of any potential flu-like symptoms or any sickness or diarrhoea”. Visitors are also being told they may be required to wear face masks before being allowed onto certain wards. A spokesman for the health board said: “Seasonal flu and winter vomiting viruses are affecting patients on several wards with infection prevention and control actions being taken as necessary.
“Visitors are asked to only come to see their loved ones if they are free of any infections, to wash hands before leaving home and clean hands on arrival at the hospital/ward using the hand sanitiser. Visitors may also be asked to wear face masks/coverings on the ward/department they are visiting. Masks will be available at the hospital entrance or can be provided on affected wards.” For the latest Carmarthenshire news sign up to our newsletter here.
Furthermore there are additional restrictions in place at the Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU) at Llanelli’s Prince Philip Hospital with prior discussion with the nurse in charge of the ward necessary before visiting. Janice Cole Williams, assistant director of nursing at Hywel Dda, said: “Within affected wards all staff are wearing masks and visiting is limited at Prince Philip Hospital’s AMAU to help stop spread of infection.
“Our local community can help us avoid outbreaks of infection by not visiting family and friends in hospital if they are feeling unwell themselves. Annual flu vaccination is also undoubtedly the best way to protect against catching or spreading flu. Not only can it prevent you from becoming very unwell it can also help reduce your risk of secondary infections such as pneumonia, which can be dangerous if you are clinically vulnerable.”
It’s not just Hywel Dda which finds itself under particular strain as we head into the new year. On Monday evening the Welsh Ambulance Service declared a “critical incident” because of significantly increased demand across the 999 service and extensive hospital handover delays. Meanwhile on Sunday Wales’ biggest hospital pleaded with people to only attend if necessary due to “extreme pressure” and several hospitals across the country are asking visitors to wear face masks because flu is causing “significant challenges”.
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