NHS Trust issue temporary restrictions to visiting at East Sussex hospitals due to flu

Hospitals including Eastbourne District General Hospital and Conquest Hospital in Hastings are among the hospitals with the restrictions which began on January 7.

The restrictions will limit visiting to one visitor per patient per day, for most services with exemptions only to end of life care, its special care baby unit and when visiting children under 16.

A spokesperson for East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said: “We currently have a very high number of patients in the hospital with the flu.

“While flu is a common infection in winter and will often get better on its own, it can make some people seriously ill, particularly those who are vulnerable and those receiving hospital care.

“To reduce the impact of flu, including the risks of spreading the virus to our patients and staff, we have made the decision to make some restrictions to patient visiting.

“We are temporarily limiting visiting to one visitor per patient per day, for most services. This includes those accompanying people waiting in our Emergency Departments.

“Additional visitors will be permitted on compassionate grounds on a case-by-case basis for all of our other services. Individuals waiting with patients in our Emergency Departments may be required to leave the department if it is busy, unless they are providing specific support to a vulnerable patient with additional needs.

“Visitors are also encouraged to regularly clean their hands and not to visit our hospitals if they have flu-like symptoms.”