Wards closed as the winter bug bites early

SIX hospital wards have been closed to new admissions after being hit early by the vomiting bug, norovirus, which normally strikes in winter.

Officials have restricted visiting across the entire University Hospital of North Staffordshire to just one hour a day between 6.30pm and 7.30pm to stop it spreading further.

They have also banned all children visitors.

Trust bosses say it is rare to have so many cases of the infection ahead of winter and have imposed stringent restrictions.

They will apply to both the City General and Royal Infirmary sites until further notice.

Previous outbreaks have led to hundreds of operations being cancelled because beds have been temporarily taken out of service.

But the latest infection comes after the hospital successfully fought to reduce the number of people having surgery postponed and managers are working to ensure there is minimum disruption to theatres.

Figures released in the summer showed cancelled operations were down by 18 per cent, to 77 postponements in the six weeks to the end of May.

Helen Jenkinson, deputy director of infection prevention and control, said: "It is unusual for norovirus to be so prevalent before the winter.

"We are taking this quick action as a precaution to try to prevent it taking a hold within the hospital.

"In addition to a range of infection control measures on the wards, restricting visiting will help prevent further spread of this illness."

She added that norovirus comes into the hospital from the community but is more contagious than the common cold and can be dangerous for vulnerable patients.

Despite the crackdown, staff will exercise discretion in areas where families need to visit the children's wards, critical care and maternity departments.

Beside keeping new patients off the stricken wards, the controls also stop those already on them being transferred to other parts of the hospital or out to nursing homes and community hospitals.

As soon as all the patients have been allowed home, the ward is deep cleaned to kill any traces of the germs before it can be re-opened.

Norovirus is the most common cause of stomach bugs in England and Wales.

It is easily transmitted between people and can be spread by eating contaminated food or water or by contact with contaminated surfaces.

The symptoms start around 12 to 48 hours after infection and last for 12 to 60 hours.

They start with the sudden onset of nausea followed by projectile vomiting and diarrhoea.

Most people make a full recovery within one to two days but some patients may need hospital treatment.