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The Infection Control Team is committed to protecting patients, staff and visitors from the risk of health care associated infections.
Health care associated infections can be acquired in hospitals, or as a result of healthcare treatments.
Examples include:
The team is led by the director of infection prevention and control and supported by our colleagues in the Trust. The team provides advice and support to all our staff to ensure that patients, visitors and staff are protected from acquiring infections.
Everyone has a role in reducing the spread of infection. It is important that patients, staff and visitors work together to reduce the risks and to maintain a clean and safe hospital environment.
The team are available 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Sunday.
Call 01208 251 300 and ask for the Infection Prevention and Control Team. Out of hours, contact the on-call manager for advice.
Clinical advice is also available 24 hours a day from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust's Clinical Microbiology Team via switchboard. Outside normal hours this will be via the on-call consultant.
Handwashing is the most simple and effective way to prevent infections occurring. This is especially important in hospitals and other healthcare settings where people who are unwell may be more vulnerable to infections.
Hands pick up germs that we cannot see so although your hands might look clean, they may still have germs on them. Germs can be picked up from any surfaces we touch, including door handles, toilet seats and through contact with other people’s skin.
There are some important times when you should wash your hands, these include:
The Trust has produced a number of information leaflets relating to the prevention and control of infections.
The government has now set out its strategy on how we live with and manage the COVID-19 virus, as we do with many other respiratory illnesses.
Free testing ended on 31 March, although people at risk of serious illness because of COVID-19, will continue to get free tests to use if they develop symptoms, along with health and social care staff and people in other high-risk settings.
While restrictions are now removed and testing reduced, the pandemic is not over. We encourage everyone to follow the public health guidance to protect themselves and others, particularly those who may become seriously ill if infected with COVID-19.
While there is no longer a requirement to self-isolate, the government's advice is to stay home and avoid contact with others if you test positive or have symptoms.
From 1 April 2022, those with symptoms who have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities will be advised to:
Vaccinations remain our best defence against the virus. Spring boosters are being offered to the elderly, care home residents, and the most vulnerable. Children aged 5 to 12 are also now able to access the vaccine.
In response to changes in the number of people and staff affected by COVID-19 we sometimes adjust our visiting hours. We will do this if the number of people affected is high or we are seeing more people poorly in hospital in order to minimise the number of people coming into hospital.
Read our latest visiting guidelines.
It is still a requirement to wear a face-covering in all healthcare premises unless you are exempt. Please don't be upset if we ask you to put a face-covering on, we're happy to accept that you may be exempt. Please just explain this if asked.
Norovirus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, is one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK. It’s also called the winter vomiting bug because it’s more common in winter, although you can catch it at any time of the year.
Norovirus can be very unpleasant but it usually clears up by itself in a few days.
You can normally look after yourself or your child at home.
Try to avoid going to your GP, hospital or care homes, as norovirus can spread to others very easily. Call your GP or NHS 111 if you’re concerned or need any advice.
You’re likely to have norovirus if you experience:
The symptoms appear one to two days after you become infected and typically last for up to 2 or 3 days.
If you experience sudden diarrhoea and vomiting, the best thing to do is to stay at home until you’re feeling better. There’s no cure for norovirus, so you have to let it run its course.
You do not usually need to get medical advice unless there’s a risk of a more serious problem.
Babies and young children, especially if they’re less than a year old, have a greater risk of becoming dehydrated.
Read advice about looking after babies and children under 5 who have diarrhoea and vomiting.
Norovirus can spread very easily, so you should wash your hands regularly while you’re ill and stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have cleared to reduce the risk of passing it on.
You do not normally need to see your GP if you think you or your child has norovirus, as there’s no specific treatment for it.
Antibiotics will not help because it’s caused by a virus.
Visiting your GP surgery with norovirus can put others at risk, so it’s best to call your GP or NHS 111 if you’re concerned or feel you need advice.
Get medical advice if:
Your GP may suggest sending off a sample of your stool to a laboratory to confirm whether you have norovirus or another infection.
Norovirus spreads very easily in public places such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools.
You can catch it if small particles of vomit or poo from an infected person get into your mouth, such as through:
A person with norovirus is most infectious from when their symptoms start until 48 hours after all their symptoms have passed, although they may also be infectious for a short time before and after this.
You can get norovirus more than once because the virus is always changing, so your body is unable to build up long-term resistance to it.
It’s not always possible to avoid getting norovirus, but following the advice below can help stop the virus spreading:
Sepsis, also known as blood poisoning, is the reaction to an infection in which the body attacks its own organs and tissues.
Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition, however it can be easily treated if caught early.
Symptoms of sepsis will present differently between adults and children. The information below is to help you identify the symptoms.
Sepsis could occur as the result of any infection. There is no one sign for sepsis. It is a serious condition that can initially look like flu, gastroenteritis or a chest infection.
Seek medical help urgently if you develop any of the following:
If your child is unwell with either a fever or very low temperature (or has had a fever in the last 24 hours), just ask, could it be sepsis?
Call 999 if a child has the following symptoms:
Any child under 5 who might have sepsis if they:
If you’re worried they’re deteriorating call NHS 111, or see your GP.