Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust today appealed for hospital visitors to help keep patients safe from diarrhoea and vomiting.
With both highly-contagious conditions widespread in the community, there is a danger that patients on the wards could be affected at a time when they are very vulnerable.
The Trust urged friends and family members to keep away from hospital if they have:
- had diarrhoea and/or vomiting at any time within the previous 48 hours, or
- been in contact with anyone who has diarrhoea and/or vomiting during the same period
The biggest problem has been at North Devon District Hospital, where outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting have forced some partial ward closures for disinfection.
Although much less widespread than in other hospitals around the region, the problem is still serious. As well as posing an immediate risk to people who are already ill or recovering from operations, the outbreaks make it harder to admit new patients.
The advice on visiting also applies to all community hospitals, at Bideford, Ilfracombe, Holsworthy, Torrington and South Molton.
Andrew Kingsley, Clinical Manager for Infection Control, said: “The last thing you want in hospital is to go down with something as unpleasant as diarrhoea or vomiting. The big danger is visitors carrying the bug, who can unwittingly infect vulnerable patients – including the very people they’ve come to cheer up.
“Please, if you have had a diarrhoea or sickness bug, make sure you’ve been clear of any symptoms for at least 48 hours before coming to visit. And when you do come in, please make sure you use the handwash facilities – taking a few seconds to clean up can save a huge amount of anguish.”
