'Stay away if you have norovirus' plea from Shropshire hospitals
People planning to visit hospitals and other healthcare facilities in Shropshire are being asked to stay away if they have experienced any of the symptoms of norovirus recently.
Sometimes known as the winter vomiting bug, norovirus is the most common stomach bug in the UK.
It is highly contagious and can affect people of all ages. The number of cases of diarrhoea and vomiting recorded normally increases going into the winter months.
With the current demand on health services across Shropshire, health bosses say it is particularly important that people help to prevent the spread of these illnesses, especially to vulnerable patients.
Dr Patricia O'Neill,consultant microbiologist and director for infection prevention and control at of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), said: "Please do not visit hospitals or care homes if you, or the people you live with, have had diarrhoea, vomiting or flu-like symptoms in the last 48 hours.
"If you are unsure whether to visit, please feel free to contact the ward nurse before you come into hospital."
Liz Watkins, Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust's head of infection prevention and control, said: "It's really important to make sure that we protect vulnerable patients and hospital staff, whether this is in the main hospitals in Shrewsbury and Telford, or in the four community hospitals in Ludlow, Whitchurch, Bridgnorth or Bishop's Castle.
"This is why we're asking everyone considering visiting or attending any of our hospitals if they have experienced diarrhoea, vomiting, flu-like symptoms, or have been generally unwell in the last 48 hours, to think very carefully if they need to visit.
"However, If you still feel that your visit is necessary please telephone the ward or department for advice before visiting."
She added that good hand hygiene can help to limit the spread of the infection.
The infection prevention team at SaTH is holding a mobile norovirus roadshow at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princes Royal Hospital, Telford, this week as part of international infection prevention week.
The mobile roadshow will be at the hospitals between 2pm and 4pm over the week October 16 to 22.
Jenny Bate, nurse specialist for infection prevention and control, said: "We will take the mobile roadshow to inpatient areas at RSH and PRH between 2pm and 4pm over the course of the week.
"The purpose is to provide an educational opportunity to reinforce good practice and discuss key points to consider when isolating patients and managing outbreaks. We will also be asking staff to participate in a quiz related to the educational key points with a chance to be entered into a prize draw," she said.
For more information, visit nhs.uk/norovirus
