Some hospitals restrict visitors as flu cases rise

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust have all made changes to visitor policies to protect patients. Due to the rising numbers of flu, Covid-19 and other winter illnesses, we have made the difficult decision to reduce visiting to essential visitors only, including for critical patients, birthing partners and other select groups Paula Gardner, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust The hospital trust said it expects it will review its visiting guidelines next week. Paula Gardner, interim chief nursing officer from the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said: “Due to the rising numbers of flu, Covid-19 and other winter illnesses, we have made the difficult decision to reduce visiting to essential visitors only, including for critical patients, birthing partners and other select groups. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has put additional visiting restrictions in place due to the rising number of cases of norovirus, flu, RSV and Covid in hospitals.