Feeling unwell? Then stay away from hospital (From Redditch Advertiser)

Feeling unwell? Then stay away from hospital

3:00pm Wednesday 24th October 2012 in Local

FOLLOWING an outbreak of the highly infectious Norovirus, and a number of ward closures at the Alexandra Hospital, people are being asked to play their part.

Ward 11 of the hospital was closed last week due to the extremely contagious illness with people being told to stay away.

Now staff from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Alex, have been stepping up preparations to ensure the hospital is fit for the winter.

They are asking anyone suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting, even in the last seven days, to avoid coming to the hospital in a bid to halt transmitting the infection further.

Stewart Messer, from the trust, said that there are increasing numbers of cases of diarrhoea and vomiting in the community.

He said: “It can be very difficult to contain the spread of this illness and we are therefore working with colleagues in the community to provide more care in the home unless the patient requires admission because of additional health concerns.

“We really appreciate the public support when we have to impose visiting restrictions.”

Anyone with Norovirus symptoms should telephone their GP or NHS Direct on 08454647.

For further information or advice, visit nhs.uk.