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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Hospitals to reduce visitor hours | Hospitals to reduce visitor hours |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Acute hospitals in the Southern Health Trust are to reduce visiting hours in a bid to reduce infection. | Acute hospitals in the Southern Health Trust are to reduce visiting hours in a bid to reduce infection. |
| Health Minister Michael McGimpsey launched the initiative at Craigavon Area Hospital on Friday. Newry's Daisy Hill Hospital will also be affected. | |
| The number of visitors admitted to see each patient is also to be restricted. | The number of visitors admitted to see each patient is also to be restricted. |
| The trust hopes the policy will reduce the number of infections, especially those caused by so-called superbugs like MRSA and C-Difficile. | The trust hopes the policy will reduce the number of infections, especially those caused by so-called superbugs like MRSA and C-Difficile. |
| Mr McGimpsey said: "Visitors to hospitals, as well as staff, play a vital role in combating infections. | |
| "I would ask all visitors to familiarise themselves with the policy and follow basic hygiene measures such as washing their hands upon entering and leaving wards." | "I would ask all visitors to familiarise themselves with the policy and follow basic hygiene measures such as washing their hands upon entering and leaving wards." |
| The health minister said it was crucial to strike a balance between the rights of patients and the need to speed recovery times. | The health minister said it was crucial to strike a balance between the rights of patients and the need to speed recovery times. |