Trust declares war (From Penarth Times)

Trust declares war

A WEEK after a mystery bug struck at Llandough Hospital, the Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust has launched a new campaign to reduce the spread of infection.

Staff, patients, visitors and families will all have their part to play in Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust's new Hospital Hygiene Awareness Campaign.

Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust confirmed an outbreak of viral gastro enteritis spread through at Llandough Hospital.

The outbreak started on Sunday December 5.

The cause has been identified as a norovirus which typically causes outbreaks of vomiting and diarrhoea.

Some wards were closed to contain the spread of the virus.

Hugh Ross, Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, said: "This Trust has been pioneering an approach to infection control which emphasises the critical importance of prevention. We were the first in the UK to use the term Infection Prevention and Control - a term which is currently being rolled out across England. It is fitting that we should now take a lead in highlighting the crucial importance of maintaining good hospital hygiene to reduce hospital acquired infection."

Hand hygiene is the first area to be targeted. A new hand hygiene policy has been approved by the Trust Board and has been rolled out across the Trust to provide clear guidance to staff in reducing hospital-acquired infection through good hand-washing practices.

Badges with the message: "It's OK to ask! Have you cleaned your hands" and posters will be used to remind everyone coming into hospital about the importance of good hand hygiene.