Patients and visitors to the Royal United Hospital in Bath are being asked to support stricter infection prevention and control measures as the coronavirus outbreak continues.
Photo courtesy of the RUH
The action, on top of measures put in place in the spring, includes reducing the number of public entrances and providing manned PPE stations.
It is being taken to counter a potential rise in COVID-19 patients needing care this winter and to address so-called ‘coronavirus fatigue’ among the general public.
Cara Charles-Barks, Chief Executive of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re calling on everyone to do their bit to help stop the spread of this terrible virus, to protect themselves and others, and to reduce demand on services at the RUH.
“We’re just coming out of seeing a serious peak in the number of COVID-positive patients at the hospital and an increase in the number of our staff who have the infection.
“This has put a huge burden on our teams and threatened our ability to maintain all the other services we provide.”
The RUH Trust has now taken steps including:
- Reducing public entrances to the RUH
- Staffed stations providing PPE, hand gel and social distancing advice
- With visiting suspended, increased checks and challenges on people entering the RUH
- Increased ‘hands, face, space’ signage at entrances, on corridors and wards
- Marshals in clinical areas to support the existing ward PPE champions
Lisa Cheek, RUH Director of Nursing and Midwifery, said: “We need to ensure that all staff, visitors and patients follow good hand hygiene, social distancing and correct use of PPE at all times.
“We have to remain vigilant until mass vaccination is widely effective.
“That’s why it’s so important that everyone who comes to the RUH, our patients, visitors and our staff, plays their part in helping prevent the spread of infection.
“We all need to be personally responsible to keep ourselves and others safe.
“Our A&E department is open 24/7 if you do need us. So please don’t ignore serious things like chest pains, breathing difficulties, head injuries or you’ve been involved in an accident.
“These are emergencies and we’re here for you.”
