Helping to reduce the spread of infection as winter virus cases rise

The number of cases of winter viruses including Influenza, Norovirus, Coronavirus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are rising across south Wales.

For people who have existing health conditions, and especially those who are receiving treatment which can adversely affect their immune system response, viruses can cause very serious complications.

Therefore, in order to keep yourselves, our other patients and our staff as safe as possible and to prevent the spread of infection, we are introducing the following measures across the Velindre Cancer Service sites with immediate effect:  

• Please do not attend any of the Velindre Cancer Service sites if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection or symptoms of norovirus – this applies to patients and relatives / visitors. Further information regarding the symptoms to look out for can be found on the NHS website.
• If you are due to have an appointment at Velindre, but you have symptoms, please contact the department that you are due to attend who will be able to provide you with advice. If you are receiving chemotherapy or immunotherapy treatment, , please contact your consultant’s secretary who will be able to access advice for you.
• If you are receiving chemotherapy / immunotherapy or radiotherapy treatment with us and if you have viral symptoms and feel unwell or if you have a temperature, please do not hesitate to contact our 24/7 helpline for advice.
• If you are attending one of the Velindre Cancer Service sites as a patient or a visitor, please wear a facemask if you are able to do so – these will be available to you at the main entrances. Please also ensure that you sanitise your hands before entering. Again, hand sanitisers will be available at each entrance.
• A key way of reducing the risk of the spread of infection is to reduce the number of people attending the site. As such, we are requesting that each patient brings a maximum of one visitor with them to any out-patient or out-patient treatment appointment. If you feel that you have an exceptional circumstance, please speak with a senior staff member. For the in-patient ward, there will be a strict limit on a maximum of one visitor per patient at any one time. There will be exceptions to this depending upon different situations. If you have any concerns, please speak with the nurse in charge. Visitors are also requested to wear a facemask while on the in-patient ward and in all clinical areas of the cancer centre.

The above measures will be in place from Tuesday 31 December 2024 until further notice.

When giving blood or blood products, in order to keep yourselves, other donors and our staff as safe as possible and to prevent the spread of infection, we would be grateful for your help with the following:

• Please do not attend any of the Donor clinics if you have any symptoms of infection (further information is available on the NHS website). Please contact us to let us know.
• Please also refrain from attending to donate any blood until your symptoms have resolved. If you have had influenza (flu) or an infection requiring antibiotics, you should not donate for 14 days after recovery or 7 days after completing the antibiotics whichever is sooner. If you have had a cold (e.g. purely symptoms of a sore throat, dry cough or runny nose) you can donate as soon as your symptoms have resolved.
• Please use the hand sanitiser before entering the donation clinic. These will be available at the main entrances.
• Face masks will be available for you to wear while you are at the Donation clinic should you wish, but these are not mandatory. Our staff may also wear a face mask if they wish to, but it is not mandatory.

Thank you for your support in keeping our services as safe as possible.