Skip to main content

Updated January 7, 2025

Following a decrease in the number of cases of flu and respiratory illnesses at our hospitals, we are no longer asking patients, visitors and staff to wear face masks on our sites

Our teams have seen a sustained reduction in the number of patients testing positive for flu over recent days. However, the virus is still circulating in the community – and we continue to ask the public to help us limit the spread by taking some simple precautions.

These include taking up winter vaccines if you are eligible, avoiding visiting loved ones in hospital if you are ill, and managing mild and moderate symptoms of flu or other winter viruses safely at home.

Patients, visitors and staff may choose to wear a face mask at our hospitals if they wish. We will continue to provide masks at hospital entrances and in clinical areas.

Areas of our hospitals treating patients with a weaker immune system may continue to ask patients, visitors and staff to wear masks based on a local risk assessment.

Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery Angela Wood said: “This year’s flu season started early, with the number of patients with flu here in North Wales higher than usual during October and November and continuing to increase during the first few weeks of December.

“Introducing face masks at our hospitals has helped to limit the spread of illness and protected vulnerable patients in our care. I would like to thank our patients, their families and loved ones, and all our staff for their support over recent weeks.

“We continue to urge people to take care of themselves and follow some simple steps to reduce their risk of illness, especially during colder weather. Flu and other viruses are still circulating, so please protect yourself by taking up winter vaccines if you are eligible."

People who are eligible can now drop in for a flu or COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment. Further walk-in vaccination clinics are now available at locations across North Wales during January.

Our infection prevention teams have been closely monitoring cases of flu and other winter illnesses at our hospitals, and have been assessing levels of infection on a daily basis.

We will continue to keep these arrangements under review. In some areas, it may still be necessary to restrict visiting based on local risk assessments – please speak to our ward and department staff for advice, or if you have any concerns.
 

Limit the spread of winter viruses

We’re also asking the public to help us limit the spread of winter viruses and prevent illness by:

  • Avoiding visiting loved ones in hospital if you have a cough, cold, sore throat, or a high temperature. Anyone with symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea must wait at least 48 hours after their symptoms end before visiting one of our hospitals.
  • Making sure you take up winter vaccines you are eligible for to help protect the most vulnerable against serious illness, and reduce the circulation of viruses in the community. More flu and COVID-19 walk-in vaccination clinic dates are now available during January.
  • Managing mild and moderate symptoms of flu or other winter viruses safely at home, and trying to avoid passing it on to others. Advice and remedies are available from local community pharmacies, or NHS 111 Wales. If you experience severe symptoms or have difficulty breathing, please attend an Emergency Department. 
  • Washing your hands or using hand sanitiser regularly, and before entering any of our wards or clinical areas.
  • Avoiding sitting on patient beds, or using patient toilets. Please ask our staff where you can find the nearest visitor toilet. 
  • Covering your mouth if you sneeze or cough. Please use a tissue and make sure you dispose of your tissue in a bin and wash your hands. If you do not have a tissue, sneeze of cough into the crook of your elbow.