Visiting is being restricted at Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to help reduce the spread of the N1H1 (Swine Influenza) virus, and help protect patients.

Jayne Skippen, Head of Hospital Access at Milton Keynes Hospital, said: “Milton Keynes Hospital has robust plans in place to manage the current N1H1 (swine influenza) virus. It is essential that we continue to ensure that we are as prepared as possible to cope with the pandemic’s development.

“Patient safety and the delivery of high quality care are our top priorities. To help prevent the flu virus spreading we are restricting the number of visitors that each patient can have.”  

Each in-patient on most wards or departments is now allowed a maximum of two visitors at any one time. No children are permitted onto the wards, unless there are exceptional circumstances and a prior request has been made to the ward manager.

On Ward 9 (Maternity Unit) only one visitor is permitted for each woman. This is to help protect mothers and babies.

Jayne Skippen added: “Please do not attend the Hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department if you don’t have to. Think carefully before turning up with minor injuries and ailments - A&E is for accidents and genuine emergencies only.”

If you have symptoms of influenza please call your GP or the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513. You can go online and check symptoms on www.nhs.uk, or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

It is important that visitors do not come to see relatives/ friends if they have symptoms of swine flu, and avoid spreading the virus.

It is also important that any individual who has been prescribed flu medication, such as Tamiflu, continues to take paracetamol to control pain and reduce temperature.