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Norovirus Update

Children asked not to visit hospitals during Norovirus outbreak

IN an effort to protect youngsters against infection, North Bristol NHS Trust is asking visitors not to bring children onto the wards at Frenchay or Southmead whist the Norovirus outbreak continues.

Today (Thursday, February 21) there are six wards and two bays at Frenchay and one bay at Southmead closed to new admissions because of the diarrhoea and vomiting virus. Corinne Thomas, Director of Nursing, said: “In an effort to protect members of the public as well as patients we ask that people do not bring children into visit with them until the end of this outbreak.

"The nurse in charge of the ward can make exceptions in some circumstances. If you are in any doubt please phone ahead before coming in to visit. "The Trust will be reviewing this decision once this current outbreak has been dealt with and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause." Norovirus is brought into hospitals from the local community and is easily spread by contact with people suffering diarrhoea, vomiting or contamination in the environment. Some patients do not realise they are already incubating the virus when they attend hospital.

Any potential hospital visitors must stay away from hospital if they have upset stomachs or tummy bugs or have been in close proximity to someone experiencing symptoms. They must not visit until the symptoms have stopped for at least two days.

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.

The Trust is also asking people with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting not to present themselves for initial treatment at A&E – please first contact your GP or out- of-hours service for advice.

If you are due to come into the hospital for an operation or appointment and have symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting please phone ahead in advance 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.

Corinne added: "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."

Click here to download further information on the Norovirus

For more information contact the Press Office at North Bristol NHS Trust on Tel: 0117 9186779.