17 December 2024
As winter illnesses like flu, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), norovirus and Covid-19 circulate, we are urging everyone to take extra steps to keep themselves and others safe.
If you are feeling unwell, please do not visit healthcare settings. This simple step can help prevent the spread of illnesses to our vulnerable patients and our staff. Our staff absence rates are higher than usual at the moment due to flu, Covid and other winter illnesses, so we ask for you to reduce the spread by staying home if you feel unwell.
If you are visiting a loved one in hospital, please help to protect them by using the hand gel provided before entering and when leaving the ward. If you are feeling under the weather and have a cough, cold, sore throat, fever or stomach bug, please wait until you are feeling better (and have been symptom-free for 48 hours) before visiting your loved ones.
Winter illnesses can have serious impacts, especially for older adults, young children and people with weakened immune systems. By following these measures, you are helping to protect yourself, protect your family and protect our wider community this winter.
Sarah Horan, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals at NHS Borders, said: “We know how much it means to visit loved ones in hospital, especially at this time of year, but we must do everything we can to reduce the spread of illnesses. What feels like a minor cold to you could have serious consequences if passed on to someone who is already unwell.
“By staying home if you are feeling ill and washing your hands and using hand gel when visiting healthcare settings, you are playing a vital role in keeping our patients, staff and wider communities safe this winter.”
For more information on staying healthy and accessing healthcare this winter, please visit nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/what-you-need-to-know-about-accessing-healthcare/