An increasing number of patients have been admitted to our hospitals in Hull, Grimsby and Scunthorpe with flu over the past three weeks.

Our staff must now wear surgical face masks in all patient-facing areas at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill.

We’re also asking staff at Scunthorpe General Hospital, Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital at Grimsby and Goole Hospital to wear surgical face masks in specific areas such as our Emergency Departments and in wards treating patient with flu or respiratory conditions.

Visitors to these areas will also be asked to wear face masks to protect themselves and help us stop the spread of the virus throughout our hospitals.

Anyone showing symptoms of flu or any other illness should not come to hospital to visit so we can protect our patients from the winter bugs currently circulating in our communities. If you are unwell, for any reason, please delegate another person to visit in your place to ensure already sick and vulnerable people are not exposed to potentially dangerous illnesses.

We’d like to assure the public that these measures are being kept under daily review by our senior nursing and infection control teams and we will keep you informed of any changes over the coming days and months.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding while we do our best to protect your loved ones, relatives and friends who are in our care.