Published: Tuesday, 2nd February, 2010 1:48pm

Norovirus outbreak forces RBH visiting ban

by James Kell

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ROYAL Berkshire Hospital chiefs were today forced to introduce a visiting ban in a bid to curb a norovirus epidemic sweeping the wards.

Only essential visits - for parents with youngsters on paediatric wards or relatives of terminally ill patients - are being allowed until further notice.

Many patients being admitted to the hospital are already showing symptoms of the diarrhoea and vomiting bug while others are being hit by the virus soon after admission. Some people requiring in-patient treatment for other health conditions have also been found to be suffering from norovirus.

Medical director Dr Jonathan Fielden said this afternoon: "Every year we must manage a period of time when norovirus hits our community. We know that many schools, nursing homes and other workplaces are already affected and inevitably we are now experiencing issues within our Trust."

Norovirus is easily transmitted from person to person and the Royal Berks was already operating stringent infection control measures to restrict its spread. Restrictions on visitors to the wards is the latest phase in the battle.

Dr Fielden said: "We recognise that there are certain circumstances when visiting by immediate relatives is essential but it is important that we reduce the number of visitors to the hospital to reduce the risk of visitors bringing in the virus, or spreading the virus outside.

"Patients, staff and visitors are all at risk and we owe a duty of care to reduce the impact on everyone as much as possible. Therefore we are allowing essential visits only - for example parents of children on paediatric wards or close relatives of patients at their end of life."

He added: "We anticipate that the current situation will improve over the next few days although norovirus is likely to affect our community as a whole over the next few weeks.

"We recognise that our patients value the visits they receive when in hospital but we must take action to protect everyone. We apologise for the short term disruption this may cause but hope that people will understand the reasons why we are imposing restrictions."

Some routine operations have been postponed while staff work to clear the virus but day surgery and outpatient appointments are not affected.

Dr Fielden said: "We would also like to thank our staff for their continuing efforts above and beyond in these challenging circumstances - which follows closely the challenges earlier this year from the weather conditions."

For more information about norovirus and managing its symptoms visit www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk or the Health Protection Agency at www.hpa.org.uk/infections.