HILLINGDON and Mount Vernon hospitals are to close to visitors from today (26).

Sarah Tedford, Chief Executive of Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the decision, taken with clinical colleagues and along with many other NHS hospitals, would take immediate effect.

“It has been a difficult decision, but we no longer feel we can prevent the risk of spreading the infection if we continue to allow visitors to our hospitals,” she said.

There may be exceptional circumstances, for example:

  • one visitor for end-of-life patients
  • one birth partner
  • one parent or carer for a child
  • one visitor for those with dementia
  • We will have to make decisions based on the safety of each patient

The chief executive continued: “These are unprecedented circumstances for the NHS and we must keep our staff and our patients safe.  I know people will understand, but I also know they will be disappointed.

“I would like to ask everyone to support our NHS and stay at home.”