19/10/2026
When you are unwell, being in hospital can make you more vulnerable to infections.
We do everything we can to prevent and control the spread of infection and keep our patients safe. However, hospitals bring together people who are unwell and, as a result, there can be a greater risk of being exposed to infections than there is at home. With high numbers of Flu and COVID-19 predicted in our communities and hospitals in the coming weeks, the risk of exposure is particularly important to consider at this time.
If you are in hospital, please help us reduce the spread of infection by:
• Following any infection prevention and control advice from our staff
• Washing your hands regularly with soap and water, or using hand sanitiser
• Wearing a mask when advised by our teams when you enter a clinical area
• Avoiding visiting if you have a cough, cold, flu-like symptoms, temperature or diarrhoea or vomiting.