15/01/10

Visitors welcome this weekend at The Ipswich Hospital

One of the region’s busiest hospitals is relaxing its ban on visitors this weekend. Visiting has been strictly limited this week at Ipswich Hospital to protect patients and staff from infections including the winter sickness bug.

“We have been very busy with people in need of urgent care, and would like to thank everyone who did not come and visit which helped us reduce the risk of infection spreading”, explained Gwen Collins, the hospital’s Director of Nursing and Quality.

“At the moment, we have one ward – Kirton – closed to new admissions because of infection, and this ward will not be open to visitors. Everywhere else will be open this weekend from this evening (Friday 15 January) through to Sunday afternoon. Visiting hours for general wards are from 3pm to 4pm and from 7pm to 8pm”, Mrs Collins explained.

Any visitor who feels unwell themselves should not come to the hospital.

Anyone coming into the hospital will be asked to wash their hands with soap and water (a better protection against the winter sickness bug, than alcohol gel) before entering any clinical area.

A decision will be made on Monday morning as to whether all the wards can be open for visitors or not.