Scabies outbreak restricts visiting on Bryngolau Ward

Visiting on Bryngolau Ward at Prince Philip Hospital has been restricted from Friday 16 October because of a scabies outbreak. Hywel Dda University Health Board says the position is being reviewed regularly and the risk to the wider public remains low. Patients recently discharged from the ward will be contacted directly.

What the notice covers

The announcement is specific to Bryngolau Ward. It does not say the whole hospital has closed, that all visiting has stopped or that every planned appointment is affected. The health board says it is following national guidance and has taken additional steps to limit the spread of infection. Its notice does not give a case count, an end date for the restriction or a list of visiting exceptions. Anyone planning a visit should check arrangements with the ward before travelling.

Advice from the health board

Hywel Dda describes scabies as a common skin condition caused by a microscopic mite. It stresses that anyone can be affected and that the condition is not linked to poor personal hygiene. The board’s advice page says people who think they may have scabies, or whose symptoms persist after treatment, should contact a GP, community pharmacist or NHS 111 Wales for advice. The 16 October ward notice is a new visiting update. It does not establish the current position on every other ward covered by the hospital’s earlier September announcement.