Hospital visitor curbs due to flu surge lifted

A trust has lifted visiting restrictions which were put in place at its hospitals last month following a rise in flu cases.

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust issued the new rules on 29 December at Cumberland Infirmary, West Cumberland Hospital and community hospitals across the county.

Visiting was only allowed in maternity, paediatric and end-of-life wards and in "certain critical cases".

The trust said it wanted to thank people for their "patience" and that the restrictions were lifted "as soon as it was felt it was safe to do so".

However it urged people not to visit loved ones in hospital if they have any symptoms of flu or norovirus.

"These illnesses are more serious for those who are already in hospital and also contribute to staff sickness," a spokesperson said.

People should wait 48 hours after they stop showing symptoms before visiting patients in hospital, they added.

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