Viruses like COVID-19, influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) commonly cause chest infections and pneumonia in the Winter. When these diseases are common in the community, more people come into hospitals to be treated for them. Sometimes the virus then spreads to other patients and staff in the hospital. Infection prevention activities in hospital, like hand washing, cleaning and wearing protective equipment, try to stop patients and staff from picking up viruses.
Test results from patient samples are reported by laboratories across Wales. The HARP programme has access to the test results, which they analyse and use to produce data dashboards of trends in people coming into hospital with these viruses and those that pick them up in hospital.
The HARP programme collaborates with health boards in Wales to reduce the risk of patients picking up viral diseases in hospitals and other healthcare settings.