[Margaret Pilkington]

Well, I wouldn't be worried about going into QPH.....but I would take adequate precautions about my own cleanliness. Nurses advise patients to bath before surgery and some of them do not heed this advice. If you go into hospital and there are not adequate hand washing facilities then ask to see the Nurse in Charge. Patients are also encouraged to prompt nurses and doctors who do not appear to have cleansed their hands.....many nurses carry alcohol gel to do this and you may see it strapped to their pocket.

As I said in the previous post the problem is multi-faceted and needs a multi faceted approach to tackle it........I think they are looking at reverting back to the more regimented visiting times, and looking at ensuring that only two visitors are present at any one time, that visitors do not sit on the beds and that they know the reason for this rule.

When I was Ward Sister I would challenge visitors (in a courteous way) about too many visitors at one bed and about sitting on beds.... I would explain the reasons for what I was doing, but many many times I was sworn at and abused.