A COUNCILLOR wants to ban children under 10 from a hospital.
Dewsbury District Hospital has been given a clean bill of health for MRSA.
But Clr Margaret Bates would like young visitors banned from it as a precaution.
Clr Bates, the Kirklees Cabinet member responsible for health matters, is happy that the Mid Yorkshire Health Trust, which is responsible for the hospital, has been given a clean bill of health by the Healthcare Commission.
A surprise inspection in July found the trust was meeting all its requirements in preventing MRSA infections.
Clr Bates said: “This is welcome news, but the trust must ensure its actions continue.
“Many people I speak to who are waiting to go into hospital are more fearful of picking up a hospital bug than they are of the treatment they are going in for.”
She added: “I am pleased the hospital has limited visitors to two per bed.
“But I would like to see it go further and ban children under the age of 10 from visiting, except in special circumstances.
“This used to be the policy, but the rules were relaxed; wrongly in my view.
“There are enough sick children in our hospitals. Healthy children shouldn’t be exposed to possible infection unnecessarily.”
The trust’s chief nurse, Tracey McErlain-Burns, said: “To help create a calm environment for patients we ask that children be supervised at all times.
“We also ask that people check with the nurse in charge of the ward before bringing young children.
“Spending time with their families can make a real difference in boosting patients’ morale and aiding recovery.’’
