22/02/10

As a precautionary measure members of the public are being asked not to visit relatives and friends Cheltenham General and Gloucestershire Royal Hospitals to assist in controlling the spread of a Diarrhoea &Vomiting illness. (D&V)

Several wards at both hospitals have been affected by the D&V illness, of which there are a number of cases in the community at this time of year. The illness usually comes into hospital when a patient is admitted for an unrelated illness or procedure.

The D&V illness can have relatively mild symptoms and is usually over within 48 hrs, but is highly infectious, which is why the Trust needs to limit the number of people moving in and out of wards.

Dr Jim Stone, Director of Infection Prevention and Control said: “This is a precautionary measure and good infection control practice to protect patients and control the spread of the illness. I hope that families and friends will understand why we are asking them not to visit for this short period.”

The exception to the restricted visiting is anyone who is visiting on compassionate grounds, these visitors are being asked to please speak to a member of ward staff on entering the ward.

Visiting to maternity wards is not affected. Visiting to children’s wards is restricted to parents/ carers.

The visiting restrictions will be reviewed every day and lifted as soon as possible, however it is expected that they will be in place until the end of this week (Friday February 26th).

The D&V illness is usually over within 48 hrs, but is highly infectious, which is why the Trust needs to limit the number of people moving in and out of wards.

The general advice to anyone suffering D&V at home is to keep hydrated, maintain high standards of personal hygiene and hand washing. NHS Direct can be contacted on 0800 45 46 47

Patients who are unwell with D&V are asked not to attend Hospital Emergency Departments.