Weston General Hospital experiencing severe Norovirus outbreak.

The two wards closed are Berrow and Cheddar. Specific wards with any current outbreaks are clearly indicated by banner signs.

Otherwise known as the ‘winter vomiting bug’, Norovirus is highly infectious and easily passed from person to person.

Director of Nursing and infection control lead at the hospital Chris Perry said:

“Norovirus is extremely infectious.  It is bought into the hospital from the community and so people coming into the hospital carrying the bug can easily transmit it to our patients. This is why we are urging people only to come here if their visit is absolutely essential. We have also put a number of firm restrictions in place.”

Firm restrictions are expected to be in place until Tuesday 23 December. These include:

• Only people who have an essential visit (people with appointments or needing emergency care) should come to the hospital.
• Only the same two visitors are allowed to see a patient in any one session.
• Children under 12 will not be allowed to visit without the express permission of the nurse in charge.
• Do not come to the hospital if you are feeling unwell with sickness, diarrhoea, fever, sore throat or flu in the last 48 hours.
• While in the hospital maintain good hand hygiene. Clean hands with alcohol hand rub or soap and water before entering the ward to reduce bringing infections into the hospital.

Visiting hours remain the same: 2:30pm-4:30pm and 6:pm-8:30pm.

Director of Nursing Chris Perry continued:

“We have put these restrictions in place with the hope that we can clear this outbreak – the last thing we want to do is start restricting visiting for patients who have to spend Christmas in hospital. This is why we really need the public to help us.

“Previously we have restricted visiting hours but we found this has a negative impact on discharging patients as we find it more difficult to liaise with the family. Therefore for the time being, visiting hours remain the same.”

Extra precautions will be in place in these areas and visitors are discouraged from visiting to protect their own health. However, visitors who choose to enter the ward must do so knowingly, and will need to wear a plastic apron whilst they visit and wash their hands thoroughly before they leave.

Alongside visitor restrictions, stringent processes are in place for hospital staff. Access to wards with Norovirus is restricted to all but essential clinical and healthcare staff such as physiotherapists and dieticians. Gloves and aprons are worn when examining patients and strict hand washing protocols are in place. 

To find out more about Norovirus, please click HERE.