Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust today (Mon) asked for help from patients and the public, after suspected cases of norovirus led to restrictions on the admission of new patients to North Devon District Hospital.
The Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) had to be closed after an outbreak of the diarrhoea and vomiting bug, which is highly contagious. The ward is critical to the functioning of the hospital, being used as a centre for the assessment and initial treatment of many new patients.
The Trust therefore asked:
- Anyone thinking of coming to A&E with less-serious conditions to try other options, including the minor injury units at community hospitals around northern Devon
- Any hospital visitors to stay away if they have had, or been in contact with someone who has had, diarrhoea or vomiting in the previous 48 hours
Some operations will be cancelled as a result of the outbreak. Any patient whose surgery has had to be cancelled will be contacted by phone.
The South Western Ambulance Service and local GPs have been alerted to the restrictions.
Contingency plans are in place within the hospital to ease the pressure on MAU, while patients affected by the suspected norovirus are treated separately and cleaning is carried out.
