Maelor Hospital visiting restrictions ‘to remain in place over weekend’

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area

This article is old - Published: Friday, Jan 19th, 2018

A spokesperson told us late this afternoon that visiting restrictions at Wrexham Maelor Hospital ‘will remain in place throughout the hospital over the weekend’, with a further update expected on Monday.

The restrictions have been in place to help minimise the risk of flu spreading further in the hospital and to protect patients and staff.”

A spokesperson for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, has told us previously: “Please do not visit hospital if you are or have been unwell with flu-like symptoms in the last seven days, unless it is an emergency.

“Hospitals in North Wales have seen a rise in the number of people being admitted with flu and Wrexham Maelor Hospital has put visiting restrictions put in place to minimise the risk of it spreading to protect patients and staff.

“We are asking the public to help us prevent flu spreading and only essential visits will be allowed at Wrexham Maelor Hospital at this time. ”

One reader wrote to us explaining how the system is causing some issues where families are bringing their loved ones down to the reception area to visit. The reader points out that such a move could ‘defeat the object’ as such interaction means ‘they could be greater exposed’, adding that their family were not allowed on to a ward to visit their daughter however there were no restrictions to walk with her in corridors or in the grounds.

We are told there are restrictions on the number of birthing partners to one person, with some upset that could mean newborns and mothers are not able to be seen by other family members until they are discharged.

Today we also asked BCUHB about double digit ambulance queues we have been told about, and seen, outside the A&E department.

Nigel Lee, BCUHB’s Director of Secondary Care, told us: “Like the NHS as a whole, our services are under significant pressure at the moment. Our hospitals are extremely busy and we are seeing an increase in people with complex conditions coming into our urgent care services than this time last year. In addition, we are currently dealing with the highest incidence of flu since 2010, with cases in all three of our main hospitals.

“We know people are still waiting too long in our Emergency Departments, but we are now assessing, treating then admitting or discharging more people now than we have done before. Importantly, our clinical teams will always prioritise patients with the greatest clinical need.

“We have also worked closely with the Welsh Ambulance Service to manage more patients in the community setting.

“We have been doing a lot of work to make sure people continue to get safe and timely care, and also to ensure people are not facing unnecessary delays when they are ready to go home, again working closely with a variety of partner organisations.

“It is also important that people know where they can get help for an injury or illness, but do not need the specialist care provided in an Emergency Department. This ranges from local pharmacies where people can get on-the-spot advice for a variety of ailments, through to our Minor Injury Units that can treat broken bones, cuts and sprains as well as a broad range of medical conditions.”

For information NHS Direct Wales is a health advice and information service available 24 hours a day, every day. You can call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk