17 November 2008
Hospitals across Bristol are reminding people to avoid visiting if
they have had symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting in the previous 48
hours.
Over the past few weeks, cases of Norovirus - the winter vomiting
virus - have increased in the community.
Norovirus is brought into hospitals from the local community and is
easily spread by contact with people suffering diarrhoea and
vomiting who may have contaminated the environment. Some patients
do not realise they are already incubating the virus when they
attend hospital.
Airborne spread occurs during episodes of vomiting, to those in
close proximity at the time.
Symptoms appear 12 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus and can
last for up to three days.
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and North Bristol
NHS Trust, which between them run all the NHS hospitals in Bristol,
are asking people with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting not to
present themselves for initial treatment at Accident and Emergency
departments - they should first contact their GP or out-of-hours
service for advice.
Those due to come into the hospital for an operation or appointment
and have symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting should phone ahead to
let the nursing staff know and to get further advice.
Every year most UK hospitals, and also many schools and nursing
homes are affected by Norovirus.
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is restricting
visiting hours in an effort to prevent a Norovirus outbreak.
Visiting will only take place between 2pm-3pm and 7pm and 8pm - two
visitors only will be allowed per hour visiting session with no
change of visitors during a single visiting session.
North Bristol NHS Trust restricted its visiting hours two years
ago and these will remain the same - 2.30pm-4.30pm and
6.30pm-8pm.
In addition both organisations are asking children under the age of
11 not to visit. These restrictions currently exclude childrens and
maternity wards. Exceptions to these rules may be authorised by the
ward sister or the nurse in charge in extraordinary circumstances.
Please discuss with ward staff or phone ahead of your visit, if you
have any questions.
Corinne Thomas, Director of Nursing at North Bristol NHS
Trust, said: "We strongly urge visitors with symptoms to please
avoid visiting the hospital until symptoms have completely settled
for two days. If a visitor has recently had diarrhoea or vomiting,
we ask that they phone ahead to the ward for advice.
"We are totally committed to controlling the spread of infections
in our hospitals and have a dedicated and highly skilled infection
control team that ensures all staff are aware of the symptoms and
control measures for this virus.
"But it's just as important for members of the public to work with
us to help prevent the spread of Norovirus infection."
Lindsey Scott, Chief Nurse and Director of Governance at University
Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, said: We understand that
contact with family and friends is an important aspect of patient
care, recovery and rehabilitation. However, we have to
balance this against other risks including infection, privacy and
dignity, and adequate rest for patients. Following careful
consideration, the Trust is introducing restricted visiting for all
adult wards.
We appreciate that some visitors may find these restricted visiting
times difficult. Ward sisters and nurses in charge of wards
will be able to use their discretion for genuine difficulties or
unusual circumstances; visitors should speak to ward staff or
telephone in advance of visiting to make special arrangements.
