This in from IW NHS, in their own words. Ed
The number of patients with diarrhoea and vomiting, due to norovirus, at St Mary’s Hospital is significantly decreasing thanks to the actions of staff, patients and visitors.
However, as the Trust continues to deal with a small number of new cases, we would seek the public’s continued support regarding visitor restrictions, which are still in place. This is to ensure we are able to completely eradicate this particularly virulent strain of norovirus.
A number of wards are still affected
As of Monday, we have ten ongoing cases of the illness and a number of wards are still affected. Therefore, the following visiting restrictions put in place last week will continue until at least the end of this week:
- All visiting to the main hospital (not just to the wards closed to new admissions) is restricted to essential visiting only and a time (not necessarily between 2pm and 3pm) to visit must be agreed with the Ward Manager. Wards should be contacted via the Hospital Switchboard.
- Access to the main hospital for patients and visitors is only via the main entrance. It is therefore better to park closer to the main entrance if you have mobility issues or arrange to be dropped at the main entrance before cars are parked.
- Visitors and patients are asked to ensure they cleanse their hands on entering and leaving the hospital and entering and leaving clinical areas.
- No more than two visitors per patient
- Children under the age of 16 and elderly or vulnerable adults should not visit unless necessary
- Anyone who has had symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhoea, must not come into the hospital until they have been clear of those symptoms for at least 48 hours
- Patients visiting the Beacon Health Centre and Emergency Department should only be accompanied by one other person if possible.
Day surgery, outpatient appointments or clinics remain unaffected
The Trust would like to stress that day surgery, outpatient appointments or clinics remain unaffected and patients should attend as normal, but need to be aware of the restriction on accessing the main hospital only via the main entrance.
Alan Sheward, Executive Director of Nursing and Workforce, and Director of Infection Prevention and Control, paid tribute to the ongoing hard work of staff and the co-operation of visitors:
“I would like to thank our staff at the hospital who have gone above and beyond to battle this particularly nasty virus. Since the outbreak started, a number of extra measures have been put in place to control the spread of the illness, such as restricting the movement of patients and staff within the hospital, employing ‘barrier nursing’ to treat patients in isolation and prevent the spread of infection and additional steam and deep cleaning.
“I am also grateful to the general public who are now heeding the message to stay away from the site, in order to prevent further cases being brought into the hospital. Although the number of cases is reducing day by day, and we have contained the situation, we are not complacent about this very virulent illness and the need to maintain strict controls. We will be in a position to review the restrictions towards the end of the week.”
It is vital that anyone who is feeling unwell with vomiting and/or diarrhoea, and planning to visit their friend or relative in hospital, nursing or a residential home, stays at home for at least 48 hours after the symptoms stop to avoid the spread of infection. Keeping hydrated and drinking plenty of fluids is very important, particularly for the elderly and the very young who are most at risk. If the symptoms persist, telephone NHS 111. Further details of symptoms are available on the NHS Choices website www.nhs.uk.
Good hand hygiene using soap and water is important during outbreaks of norovirus as it is highly contagious. Thorough cleaning of hard surfaces with a bleach solution, paying particular attention to the toilet and toilet area, will help to reduce the spread of the virus.
Image: Lars Ploughmann under CC BY 2.0
