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Children banned from ward visits Children banned from ward visits
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Children have been banned from visiting East Surrey Hospital this Christmas because they might spread germs.Children have been banned from visiting East Surrey Hospital this Christmas because they might spread germs.
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare said it was to prevent infection with the onset of colder weather.Surrey and Sussex Healthcare said it was to prevent infection with the onset of colder weather.
The trust's website said children can come into contact with bugs such as Norovirus and the move was to reduce risk at Redhill's hospital.The trust's website said children can come into contact with bugs such as Norovirus and the move was to reduce risk at Redhill's hospital.
Patients have said it will keep families apart during Christmas, but NHS campaigners welcomed the move.Patients have said it will keep families apart during Christmas, but NHS campaigners welcomed the move.
Geoff Martin, from patients' campaign group Health Emergency, said: "It's a logical move to make.Geoff Martin, from patients' campaign group Health Emergency, said: "It's a logical move to make.
"Norovirus can close down whole wards. It's one of those things that has to happen to keep up capacity."Norovirus can close down whole wards. It's one of those things that has to happen to keep up capacity.
WINTER HYGIENE MEASURES Reduced visiting timesOnly one visitor per patientMinimum personal belongingsNo flowers or gifts of foodNo childrenNo visitors who have had diarrhoea and/or vomiting in the past three daysWINTER HYGIENE MEASURES Reduced visiting timesOnly one visitor per patientMinimum personal belongingsNo flowers or gifts of foodNo childrenNo visitors who have had diarrhoea and/or vomiting in the past three days
"If it's a choice between keeping families apart and keeping wards open, I'd keep the wards open.""If it's a choice between keeping families apart and keeping wards open, I'd keep the wards open."
Information on the trust's website states: "At this time of year the increased risk of infections such as Norovirus is much higher throughout our community.Information on the trust's website states: "At this time of year the increased risk of infections such as Norovirus is much higher throughout our community.
"Children, in particular, can easily come into contact with these infections either at school or in their general social circles."Children, in particular, can easily come into contact with these infections either at school or in their general social circles.
"As such it is vital that we reduce the risk of these infections being either brought into hospitals or of children transferring them from patients back into their school and home environments.""As such it is vital that we reduce the risk of these infections being either brought into hospitals or of children transferring them from patients back into their school and home environments."
'Safeguarding patients'
It adds the trust recognises the need for families to be together at Christmas, but says even under exceptional circumstances that people who have been unwell, or have children with symptoms, are asked not to visit.It adds the trust recognises the need for families to be together at Christmas, but says even under exceptional circumstances that people who have been unwell, or have children with symptoms, are asked not to visit.
And it states the actions are "completely precautionary with the sole aim of safeguarding patients and visitors, and minimising any spread of Norovirus [winter vomiting virus]".And it states the actions are "completely precautionary with the sole aim of safeguarding patients and visitors, and minimising any spread of Norovirus [winter vomiting virus]".
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS was formed in 1998 after three health trusts merged.
Its main site is the East Surrey Hospital in Redhill and it serves about 350,000 people in north west Sussex and east Surrey, including Crawley, Reigate and Redhill.