UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

[Pathfinder]

Re: UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

Hospital shuts five wards in norovirus battle

Monday, April 12, 2010, 23:00

OPERATIONS are continuing to be postponed due to a norovirus outbreak at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

Five wards were still closed to new admissions over the weekend in a bid to prevent the spread of the diarrhoea and vomiting bug.

A total of 123 procedures out of 1,504 planned cases were postponed between March 15 and 24 due to the resulting shortage of beds.

On-call manager Gill Heathcote was unable to say how many routine operations have been cancelled since then, but said all patients affected would be contacted directly.

"If they don't hear from us they have to assume that the surgery is going ahead," she said.
<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> TIN.adverts.adWriteDC('article-detail-impact-tile', '452x118'); </SCRIPT><SCRIPT language=JavaScript src="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/adj/thisisexet/thisisexet_exetnews_home;area=news;subarea=home;target=;article=1999255;rsi=D05509_10971;rsi=D05509_10760;tile=2;sz=452x118;ord=5769297009565098?" type=text/javascript></SCRIPT>

The RD&E said only non-urgent procedures were being postponed and these were typically ear, nose and throat, oral and plastic surgery cases.

Elaine Hobson, the RD&E's chief operating officer, said: "The trust continues to discourage non-essential visiting to the hospital because the norovirus bug is widespread in the local community and easily spreads.

Visitors are advised to call the hospital first and check whether the ward area they intend to visit is open."
/.../

http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/news/...us-battle/article-1999255-detail/article.html

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

Leicester hospitals in warning on sickness bug

Thursday, April 15, 2010, 09:29

Visitors are being warned to stay away from Leicester's hospitals if they are suffering from a sickness bug.

The warning has come from hospital officials who are trying to stop the spread of cases of an infection which causes diarrhoea and vomiting.
GPs in Leicester say they have also seen an increase in the number of patients, particularly children, with the illness in recent weeks.

One ward at Leicester Royal Infirmary had to be closed on Monday after an outbreak of the bug. It will remain shut until no new cases have been reported for 48 hours and people who have been affected by the bug have fully recovered.

Restrictions mean no new patients will be admitted to the medical ward which treats people with conditions such as diabetes and strokes.

Visitors are still being allowed to see relatives on the ward but are being asked to make sure they wash their hands when they come in and when they leave.

Islwyn Jones, senior infection control nurse at Leicester's hospitals, said:

"You can suffer from diarrhoea and vomiting at any time of the year, although it is more likely in the winter.

"Our advice to people remains the same, don't visit someone in hospital if you are feeling unwell and if you do visit make sure you clean your hands."
Dr Angela Lennox, a GP on the city's St Matthew's estate, has seen an increase in the number of patients, especially children, with the bug which is often linked to the winter vomiting bug, norovirus.

She said: "It is not unusual to have outbreaks of this at this time of year but we have seen a small increase in the number of children suffering from sickness and vomiting.

"It is really important that their parents make sure their little one are drinking plenty of fluids.

/.../

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co....kness-bug/article-2019946-detail/article.html

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

Gloucestershire

Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 08:00

Three wards remain under bug restrictions

HOSPITAL visitors are being asked to stay away from three county wards after an outbreak of a diarrhoea and vomiting illness.

Last week people were asked not to visit ward 7b at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, as well as all wards at Cheltenham General Hospital, to help prevent the spread of the bug, which is thought likely to be norovirus.

Restrictions have now been lifted on all wards other than Ward 7b at Gloucester and Oakley Ward and Avening Annexe at the Cheltenham site.

The exception to the restrictions is anyone who is visiting on compassionate grounds. These people are asked to speak to a member of ward staff when they get there.
<SCRIPT type=text/javascript>TIN.adverts.adWriteDC('article-detail-impact-tile-top', '452x118');</SCRIPT><SCRIPT language=JavaScript src="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/adj/thisisglou/thisisglou_glounews_news;area=news;subarea=news;target=;article=2138661;tile=3;sz=452x118;ord=3946339600638835.5?" type=text/javascript></SCRIPT>

Dr Jim Stone, director of infection prevention and control at the hospitals trust, said: "While there continues to be active cases in the community and in these three wards, in other areas the infection appears to have subsided but we will continue to monitor the situation."

The general advice to anyone suffering diarrhoea and vomiting at home is to keep hydrated and maintain high standards of personal hygiene and hand washing. NHS Direct can be contacted on 0845 46 47.

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co...trictions/article-2138661-detail/article.html