We are regularly inspected for our standards of cleanliness and infection prevention and control. We work hard to reduce are levels of infection and have managed to maintain an annual decrease.

The Trust produces a range of infection prevention and control information leaflets which are available for your information.

  • We train and update all staff on infection prevention and control issues.
  • We promote hand washing and the use of hand sanitiser as one of the most important ways of preventing the spread of infections.
  • We work with our cleaning staff to maintain high standards of cleanliness in our hospitals.

What can you do to help?

It is important that staff, patients and visitors work together to reduce the risk of infections.

Please do the following:

  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser as you enter and leave the ward.
  • Challenge staff if you think that they have not washed their hands.
  • Report any areas of the hospitals that are untidy or dirty.
  • Think carefully about visiting if wards or bays are closed due to diarrhoea and vomiting and don’t visit if you are ill, particularly if you have diarrhoea and vomiting or flu.
  • As a visitor,  please don’t sit on beds as this helps to spread infection.

MRSA Screening

We have a policy detailing all aspects of MRSA screening, decolonisation, treatment and management. This is updated to reflect changes to national screening policies.

Currently we screen patients coming into hospital for a planned operation, surgical procedure or other procedure as an inpatient.

The preferred screening location is the pre-assessment clinic. When this is not possible patients will be screened when they attend for the operation or procedure.

  • All patients attending for elective inpatient or day-case surgical procedures.
  • All patients attending for elective inpatient interventions / invasive procedures.
  • Some patients whose procedure does not need them to stay in hospital.

This includes all surgical and medical specialties unless specifically exempt (see exemptions).

All patients (including emergency admissions) will be screened in accordance with Department of Health guidance. This will be within 24 hours of admission.

Screening Exemptions

  • Day Case Ophthalmic (Eye) Surgery — high risk patients only to be screened.
  • Day Case Dental Surgery.
  • Day Case Endoscopy.
  • Minor dermatology procedures e.g. warts or other liquid nitrogen applications — patients having more invasive dermatological procedures should be routinely screened.
  • Maternity / obstetric patients — women having elective fertility or obstetric procedures, including termination of pregnancy, do not need to be screened unless they are high risk.

If any patient has a specific question or would like further advice, please speak to one of our Infection Prevention and Control Nurses who will be pleased to help.