Top Tips

Think about keeping patients safe before you visit. If you, or someone at home has a cold or are feeling unwell - especially if it's diarrhoea - stay away until you're better
Think about what you take in to patients. Food is a treat best saved until they get home. Don't sit on the bed and keep the number of visitors to a minimum at any one time
The most important thing you can do is to wash and dry your hands before visiting the ward, particularly after going to the toilet. If there is alcohol hand gel provided at the ward door or at the bedside, use it
Never touch dressings, drips, or other equipment around the bed
Don't be afraid to raise concerns with members of staff in your hospital. Busy doctors can sometimes forget simple things like cleaning hands before examining a patient. No NHS worker should take offence at a gentle and polite reminder

The Scottish Government