HEALTH: Norovirus outbreak forces all PRUH wards to close (From News Shopper)

HEALTH: Norovirus outbreak forces all PRUH wards to close

1:09pm Tuesday 16th February 2010 in

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NO VISITORS are allowed at the Princess Royal University Hospital because of the major norovirus outbreak.

The decision to close all wards to visitors was made by the South London Healthcare NHS Trust this morning (February 16).

It did this to try and minimise the number of cases of the winter vomiting bug and reduce the strain on services at the hospital.

Exceptions to the no visitor rule will be made in the cases of acutely unwell patients, patients with sick children and expectant mothers.

Outpatients will not be affected.

The trust’s infection prevention and control director Tracey Cooper said: “We are very grateful to staff, patients and the public for their cooperation, support and understanding during this outbreak.

“The measures we have taken reflect how seriously the trust takes patient safety and infection prevention, and we will do all we can to stop this outbreak.”

Anyone with severe or persistent diarrhoea and vomiting should call their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Go to slh.nhs.uk for the latest news on the outbreak.