Please help us to protect our patients and staff from highly contagious illnesses. COVID-19, influenza, other respiratory infections, and norovirus (diarrhoea and vomiting) easily spread. 

When these infections are brought into a hospital environment, they can transfer to vulnerable patients and staff.

We take the safety and care of our patients and colleagues seriously and have a team of specialists who work across the whole of the organisation and within the wider community including care homes and our GP surgeries to support minimising the risk of infections for patients, visitors and staff.

All Chesterfield Royal colleagues have yearly updates in relation to IPC, the Trust has Infection Control Champions who have regular updates with the IPC team to ensure guidance is regularly reviewed, and good standards of IPC are maintained. We all play our part to help limit and prevent the spread of infection. 

Please remember that always #ItsOkToAsk if you have concerns about infection prevention and control.

  • If you have not seen our staff clean their hands before they touch you, it’s #OkToAsk them to do so
  • #ItsOkToAsk staff to tie their hair up or remove their wristwatch if they are treating you
  • Always wash your hands after going to the toilet and before touching food
  • Please use the alcohol gel provided at the entrances to wards and departments
  • Tell a member of staff if you notice anywhere that has not been cleaned properly such as the ward, bathrooms, or toilets
  • If you have a device in place for example a cannula, catheter or drain and it does not feel right – please tell a member of staff
  • Always complete the whole course of any antibiotic medicines you are given
  • You may have been given a special wash to use prior to coming into hospital it is important this is completed as per the instructions- this will help in reducing risk of infection
  • If you have diarrhoea please tell a member of staff

  • Please do not visit the hospital if you are unwell with cold-like symptoms or diarrhoea and vomiting. Please leave a clear 48 hours since the last episode before coming to visit a loved one on our wards.
  • Please do not sit on the bed. If there are no chairs available, please ask a member of staff to provide you with one.
  • We recommend that, apart from certain circumstances, children under 12 do not visit wards, If a child needs to visit please discuss this with the ward Make sure you wash your hands on the ward or use alcohol gel before and after visiting a patient in hospital and follow advice on notices of side room doors.
  • Visiting guidance can change due to infection rates or patient needs, please always speak with a nurse in charge to find out what applies to your loved one if unsure.

If you have any concerns or questions about cleanliness or infection control please speak to the nurse-in-charge on the ward or contact our infection prevention and control teams on:
CRHFT.InfectionPreventionAndControl@nhs.net  or telephone 01246 513183 or please contact our Assistance and Complaints Service on crhft.acs@nhs.net

Visiting advice if you feel unwell