03/11/2026
We are temporarily introducing face masks in patient areas to help protect patients, visitors and staff from winter illnesses.
The move comes as the hospital has seen growing numbers of patients attending the Emergency Department with respiratory symptoms.
All staff, patients and visitors will have to wear a fluid-resistant surgical face mask when entering inpatient areas, all hospital wards (including antenatal and postnatal), and the Emergency Department and Urgent Treatment Centre.
Face masks will be readily available throughout the hospital. To ensure they are effective, people are asked to:
😷 Ensure the mask covers both the nose and mouth
👥 Keep the mask in place when speaking
🚮 Dispose of the mask after use and do not reuse it
💉 Alongside these measures, all frontline NHS staff have been offered the seasonal flu vaccine to help protect themselves, their colleagues and the patients they care for.
Visiting our services 🏨
To help keep everyone safe, please do not visit someone in hospital if you are unwell, especially if you have symptoms of COVID 19, flu, diarrhoea and vomiting, or other infectious illnesses.
Remember to always wash your hands with soap and water using sinks throughout the hospital, and where not available, with hand gel.
How to get vaccinated this winter ❄️
One of the most important things the public can do ahead of winter is to get vaccinated. The NHS offers protection against a greater number of viruses than ever before and if you are eligible for RSV, Covid or flu jabs please do come forward.
Vaccines offer the best possible protection against serious illness, and getting vaccinated not only protects you, but helps protect your friends and family too.
Flu vaccine 🤧
Flu vaccines are available for everyone aged 65 and over, under 65s in clinical risk groups, pregnant women, care home residents and carers, close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed, frontline social care workers, and health and social care staff as well as children.
Vaccines can be booked online via NHS.UK and for the first time ever parents and carers can drop-in to their local pharmacy to get their toddler vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccine 🦠
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility changed for this autumn and winter following the JCVI recommendation that it should be offered to people aged 75 or over, anyone with a weakened immune system, or those living in older adult care homes.
Please double check you are still eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine before booking – the NHS website sets out whether your age, health condition or medication means you are eligible, and your GP practice or pharmacist will confirm this before giving you the vaccine.
