A Scottish hospital has suspended new admissions and cancelled visits after an outbreak on the wards. The steps were imposed at Peterhead Community Hospital.
The hospital’s health board – NHS Grampian – said enhanced cleaning regimes are now in place due to a major flu outbreak. Several cases of the illness were reported.
Aberdeen Live reports, the latest closure comes just days after Chalmers Hospital in Banff also had to suspend admissions and visiting after a similar outbreak.
NHS Grampian said in a statement: “We have suspended non-essential visiting at Summers Ward in Peterhead Community Hospital following an outbreak of influenza.
“In addition, the hospital is closed to new admissions, and enhanced cleaning regimes are in place. Influenza and similar illnesses are very common, especially at this time of year.
“While unpleasant, most people will recover within a few days. Anyone suffering from any respiratory symptoms should stay at home.
“We want to thank all staff at the hospital for their hard work at this time and to patients and their relatives for their understanding and cooperation.”
The health board added that visiting will only be supported on the following basis:
- When someone is reaching the end of their life
- If someone has dementia/delirium and needs family support
- Support for someone with a learning disability
- A family member who has caring responsibilities
- Parents of a child in hospital
- Support during pregnancy and childbirth, including outpatient appointments, ante-natal and post-natal care
- Situations where someone is receiving life-changing information
- Those with acquired communication difficulties, e.g., stroke, aphasia, learning difficulties, or non-diagnosed LD with communication challenges
Any essential visitors to the Buchan facility have been advised not to attend the hospital should they be showing any symptoms of the illness.
The statement added: “Please do not come to any hospital to visit friends or family if you are feeling ill, even if you think ‘it’s just a sniffle’. What is a sniffle to you, might be a life-threatening flu infection to a vulnerable person.”
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