Visiting hours cut at RUH
An outbreak of the norovirus at the Royal United Hospital has seen visiting hours cut and adult patients treated in its children’s centre.
Six wards at the hospital have been closed to new admissions, meaning that a number of adult patients are being looked after in a section of the children’s centre because of the bug, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.
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Visiting hours have been restricted to evenings only across the hospital site, with a ban on visitors at any time in the six affected wards.
A spokeswoman said: “We currently have six wards closed to both visitors and new patient admissions because of norovirus.
“Because of these closures, we are making best use of all available and appropriate areas to provide patient care.
“There are a small number of adult patients in a section of the children’s centre, which is entirely separate from the children’s ward and cannot be accessed from the ward or via the children’s ward entrances.
“Staff looking after these adult patients are separate to those caring for our younger patients, and on the children’s ward the care and routines continue as normal.”
The hospital is expecting to discharge the adult patients by Friday.
Norovirus is the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhoea at this time of the year, and is highly contagious, particularly when it gets into environments where people live or work in close proximity.
Patients in hospital are more vulnerable to the disease as their immune systems are weaker.
RUH director of nursing Francesca Thompson said: “Altering our visiting times in this way means we are significantly reducing the number of opportunities to bring norovirus into the hospital.
“This reduces our patients’ exposure to the virus and also that of our staff.
“It also means we can increase the cleaning routines on the wards and eventually halt the spread of the infection.
“We appreciate that families like to visit their loved ones when they are in hospital and are aware of the benefits for patients, but it is currently more important to prevent patients catching this infection.
“We are asking the public to consider their responsibility to help us to do that.”
People are being urged to visit the hospital only if they are collecting someone who is being discharged.
If they feel that a visit is essential, they are asked to phone the hospital beforehand.
Norovirus is short-lived and people usually recover in three days.
People who are fit and healthy will make a full recovery from the disease without any medical intervention.
If the symptoms persist, or seem to be getting worse, the advice is to phone NHS Direct on 0856 46 47.
The Riverside NHS Healthcare Centre, at James Street West, is open from 8am until 8pm, and will treat registered and unregistered patients with or without an appointment.
11 Comments
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by David, Bath
Thursday, February 25 2010, 8:58AM
“Mike, it's probably because gastroenteritis sounds like a "get plenty of bed rest, have some soup later in the day if you feel up to it, make sure you drink plenty of fluids" kind of illness. Call it Norovirus, though, and you've got yourself a fully-formed sales opportunity for Quasiimmunoalphabettispaghetti (TM), the newly-patented antiviral wonder drug from Global Corp (motto: "Because We Care").”
by Hagbard, Bath
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 9:36PM
“As I understand it, the RUH has larger wards than other hospitals due to the age of most of the buildings. This means that any Norovirus outbreak caused by an infected patient or visitor tends to affect a larger number of people as they don't tend to be isolated in single rooms.
A cursory glance at the BBC news site would tell you that Norovirus outbreaks have been reported over the last few days in hospitals in such places as Cornwall (three affected), Inverness, Kings Lynn, Southampton, and the Isle of Man.
But don't let that stop you blaming it all on the RUH, because patients and visitors are never to blame are they?”
by V Omit, Box
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 7:52PM
“So what you are all agreeing with is the FACT that ONLY the RUH has this bug in Bath.
Hmmm? It's strange thing that every time I read about a 'bug' the RUH has it and no other place within 50 miles!”
by Mike, Bath
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 7:46PM
“For those of us over 40, we probably know this "Norovirus" as gastroenteritis. It causes the vast majority of tummy upsets in schools and other institutions, and can be easily killed with bleach.
Quite why it has to be referred to as "Norovirus" instead of the good old fashioned name is beyond me as the vast majority of people would have their fears reduced by the use of a familiar term.”
by Vigilante Gran, Bath
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 7:41PM
“Me too, keep well.”