Norovirus stops visiting at Nuneaton's George Eliot Hospital

George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton has suspended visiting after an outbreak of a sickness bug.



Two wards at Warwick Hospital have also been quarantined after two suspected cases of norovirus.

And today University Hospital hopes to reopen a ward that was closed last week after being hit by the highly contagious bug.

Norovirus – which causes sickness and diarrhoea – is a significant seasonal problem in Coventry and Warwickshire and has caused major disruption again this winter.

A spokesman for the George Eliot said the bug was currently widespread in the community.

The hospital’s infection control team took swift action to protect patients and staff, he said.

On Monday bosses closed three wards to new admissions and stopped visiting on two wards after a number of patients began showing symptoms of norovirus.

They also limited visiting to one hour in the evening on other wards.

However, the virus continued to spread, forcing the board to take more serious steps to contain it.

George Eliot’s visiting ban now covers all wards except maternity.

Friends and relatives will only be allowed access on compassionate grounds if patients are seriously ill.

The visiting restrictions will be reviewed tomorrow but could continue over the Easter Bank Holiday.

Warwick Hospital has also faced a battle with norovirus since December. Bosses managed to avoid visiting restrictions over Christmas but have been forced to use them on a regular basis since then.

The problem has now subsided with one suspected case each on Hatton Ward and Victoria Ward, where visiting is only allowed on compassionate grounds.

University Hospital in Coventry has also faced difficulties. Bosses closed Ward 43 six days ago, but are due to review the situation today and hope to reopen it.

Norovirus is normally quite mild and lasts for just a few days. However, it can be much more serious for patients who are already ill.

It also spreads rapidly in confined spaces, so hospitals are not the only organisations that are hard hit.

Schools are often badly affected and last month the police training centre at Ryton-on-Dunsmore had to close for five days after 50 people were struck down by an outbreak.

Good hygiene is vital to stop the virus spreading. Anyone with diarrhoea or vomiting should call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 instead of going to hospital.

For updates on visiting restrictions call George Eliot on 024 7635 1351 or visit the Warwick Hospital website at http://www.swft.nhs.uk

Visiting resumes at Nuneaton's George Eliot Hospital after norovirus outbreak

NORMAL visiting times have resumed at the George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton after an outbreak of winter sickness.

Visiting was suspended on all but two wards before and during the Easter weekend as staff battled to contain an outbreak of the highly contagious norovirus bug.

A spokesman said: “We would like to remind people that norovirus remains prevalent in the community and ask them not to attend the hospital if they are showing symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting unless they require emergency care.”

Visiting has also returned to normal at Warwick Hospital. Staff there have faced a running battle with the bug since before Christmas and have repeatedly had to restrict visiting to affected wards to stop it spreading.

University Hospital and the Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital have also been affected.

Anyone suffering vomiting or diarrhoea should stay away from hospital for 48 hours after the symptoms subside.

For advice call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or at http://www.nhs.uk

Tributes paid to all those affected by the outbreak



A MESSAGE of sincere thanks has gone out to hospital staff, patients and their loved ones following an outbreak of a sickness and diarrhoea-causing virus.

The George Eliot Hospital was badly hit by the Norovirus with visiting restricted and scores of wards closed to new admissions.

At a meeting of the Nuneaton NHS Trust Board, chief executive Kevin McGee, took the opportunity to formally thank everyone who played a part in getting the situation under control, those who cared for those affected and relatives who showed extreme patience in the meantime.

At its peak, around half of the hospital's operating capacity was affected with up to four wards fully closed at any one time.

Lydgate ward, which was closed and only normally used during busy winter periods, was re-commissioned at short notice to provide the needed additional beds.

The situation was made worse by a leaking roof in Romola ward, with high levels of rain fall making the area unuseable for patient care.

This was all exacerbated by the fact that a number of staff members also fell ill with the virus, leading to increased sickness absences on the wards and pressure on those who did make it in for shifts.

The spread of the bug was managed by the closure of certain bays or wards and the Day Procedures Unit was used by inpatients to minimise risk.

Although a number of planned operations had to be cancelled over a two week period, these have since been rescheduled and no-one with cancer or urgent surgery was affected by the cancellations.

Paying tribute to all the staff involved most notably the infection control team, capacity management, nursing and operational teams and domestic cleaning staff, Mr McGee said it made him proud of the National Health Service.

“I would like to praise staff,” said the health boss.

“We had four wards closed at any one time due to a significant Norovirus outbreak.

“I want to thank staff, patients and relatives. It was magnificent how they worked together, and since then working hard to pick up the backlog.

“There are times when the NHS makes me incredibly proud, this outbreak is an example of that.”

Known as the winter vomiting disease, the Norovirus is highly contagious in confined environments.