25th October 2011

 

Tuesday sees the launch of a major campaign in Gloucestershire to help stop the spread of norovirus, protect vulnerable patients and support NHS services this Winter.

 

Under the banner of ‘Combat Norovirus – the Winter vomiting bug’ the high visibility campaign will be profiled at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Cheltenham General Hospital, Community Hospitals and GP surgeries.

 

Huge banners carrying the key campaign messages will be in place at 25 locations across the two main hospitals. Posters, information cards and leaflets will be available at healthcare facilities county-wide.

 

Leaflets for relatives, explaining how to protect vulnerable patients will also be handed out by healthcare staff and campaign information and resources will be available at www.nhsglos.nhs.uk and through social media channels.

 

The key campaign messages are:

 

• Do not visit healthcare facilities, like hospitals, if you have had diarrhoea and/or vomiting until 72 hours after symptoms have stopped (even if these were mild symptoms)
• Do not visit friends or relatives in hospital if you have recently (within the last 3 days) been in contact with anyone who has diarrhoea and/or vomiting
• Always wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap. You should always do this after using the toilet and before preparing food. This is good practice whether or not you have symptoms
• Do not handle or prepare food for other people until you have been free of symptoms for a minimum of 72 hours
• If you, or someone you care for, needs medical advice call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or CALL your GP surgery in the first instance.

 

Gloucester GP, Dr Helen Miller said:

 “The campaign highlights the shared commitment to combat the spread of Norovirus in the interests of patients, staff, relatives and the NHS as a whole. If everyone takes the key messages on board and acts accordingly, it could make a real difference and could even save lives.”

 

Director of Nursing at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Maggie Arnold said:

“We are encouraging all our staff to get behind this important campaign and help tackle the spread of Norovirus head on. Anyone visiting our Hospitals will not fail to see the campaign messages – we just need every individual to take it to heart and help protect our vulnerable patients.”

Head of Nursing at Gloucestershire Care Services, Liz Fenton said:

“We are fully behind the Combat Norovirus campaign and will be making sure that the preventative messages get high visibility within our Community Hospitals. Our infection control and nursing teams will also be helping to spread the word to patients, relatives and family friends.”  

 

Notes to Editors

What is norovirus? Norovirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis (stomach bugs) in England and Wales and can affect people of any age. 

Whilst this condition, sometimes called ‘Winter vomiting disease’ or ‘Winter vomiting bug,’ is an unpleasant experience, the infection tends to be short lived and most people will just need to drink plenty of fluids and take plenty of rest.

However, people who are already ill, such as patients in hospital, can sometimes get quite poorly as the illness can interfere with the effectiveness of the medicines they are taking and also make them weak and dehydrated.  

 What are the symptoms? The symptoms of a norovirus infection begin around 12 to 72 hours after the patient picks up the infection. Symptoms usually last for 12 to 60 hours, but sometimes longer. 

 They start with feeling sick (nausea) often followed by projectile vomiting. The vomiting is frequently projectile. Many patients will also get watery diarrhoea. Some people will have a raised temperature, headaches and aching limbs (flu like symptoms).

Most people make a full recovery within 1-2 days, but some people (usually the very young or elderly) may become very dehydrated and require medical treatment.

How does norovirus spread?

It is very contagious, is spread mainly from person to person and occasionally through food preparation, and is more likely to spread where people are in close proximity. Public places, like hospitals are susceptible to outbreaks and this may result in ward closures and restricted visiting