NHS Ayrshire and Arran decision to stop hospital visits ‘not taken lightly’

The decision to halt hospital visits in NHS Ayrshire and Arran due to a rise in flu cases was “not taken lightly”, Health Secretary Neil Gray has said.

The health board announced last week that it would suspend routine visiting across all its hospitals from Thursday December 4 and review the situation on a daily basis.

Only essential visits will be supported at this time due to increased pressures from a rise in viral respiratory infections, including flu, officials said.

Speaking in the chamber on Tuesday, Scottish Conservative MSP Sharon Dowey called the situation “alarming” and asked Mr Gray about NHS staff uptake of the flu vaccine.

She said: “It’s alarming that hospitals are so stretched that they’re having to deprive people of family visits at their time of need, because they are petrified of a routine winter flu taking them beyond breaking point.

“But can I ask the Cabinet Secretary what assessments have been made of whether the flu vaccination uptake by NHS staff is sufficient, and what additional steps will be taken to strengthen resilience across all NHS boards this winter?”

Mr Gray said: “These are not decisions that are taken lightly. They’re not unprecedented either.

“There’s a very difficult balancing act that local teams will be needing to make around risk and the potential impact that can have on families and loved ones, which we’re well aware of.

“In terms of the vaccination programme already set out: there is more work to do, and I believe particularly amongst our staff groups, where I know our boards are doing what they can to provide drop-in clinics.”

He also encouraged anyone regardless of whether they work in health and social care to take the opportunity to be vaccinated if they are eligible.

The latest data showed flu cases have more than doubled in a week, with hospital admissions rising by 70%.

The uptick in cases has taken place at an earlier time than in previous flu seasons.