Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust takes the prevention and control of infection very seriously.
The Trust has recently seen a rise in cases of C Difficile and is stepping up its infection control activities to reduce the risk of further infections.

Patients, relatives and visitors are being asked to help prevent the spread of infection by:

• Washing hands with soap and water regularly
• Washing hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before eating
• Not coming into hospital if they feel unwell

The Trust is adopting a range of proactive measures to prevent further cases of C Difficile:

• Deep cleaning work will be carried out within the hospital. In order to facilitate this we will be postponing some patients’ elective operations in the week beginning March 1
• An isolation ward is being opened at Scarborough Hospital
• The Stroke Unit at Scarborough Hospital will be moved to Johnson Ward at Bridlington Hospital temporarily

Richard Sunley, Chief Executive, said: “Patient safety must remain our first priority. Our infection control team has been working with the local health protection agency to minimise the risk to patients and help us prevent and further spread of this infection.

“I would urge patients, relatives and visitors to adhere to strict hygiene control measures when coming into hospital – hand washing with soap and water is the best way to help prevent this infection spreading to other people.”

Because Clostridium difficile is able to produce a form of cell that is highly resistant to chemicals, hand washing using soap and water, rather than alcohol gels is recommended.

In order to reduce the chance of spreading the infection to others: it is advisable to wash hands with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before eating as well as when entering and leaving the hospital environment.