23 January 2012
The top nurse at Epsom Hospital is today asking local people for their help to combat the spread of an infectious stomach illness that can lead to diarrhoea and vomiting.
The hospital is facing significant pressure as a result of Norovirus (the 'winter vomiting' bug), which has led to the hospital's lead nurse asking local people suffering from the illness to avoid the hospital if at all possible, and asking even those without symptoms not to visit patients unless it is absolutely necessary.
If you are suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting, please do not:
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Come to hospital for a routine appointment - instead, call the number on your appointment letter to reschedule it;
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Visit patients at Epsom Hospital - you risk spreading the illness to those who do not have it;
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Attend A&E (accident and emergency) unless it is a genuine emergency - speak to your GP first if possible.
Those without symptoms
In addition, even those without symptoms are being asked to keep visiting to a minimum and avoid bringing children into the hospital.
The Trust's Director of Nursing and lead for infection control and prevention, Pippa Hart, said: "Norovirus is very infectious and outbreaks often occur in the community, particularly in schools and offices. It can then be brought into hospital by patients and their visitors and has the ability to cause outbreaks on wards.
"We want as many people to avoid catching Norovirus as possible. For a limited time, we are asking people suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting not to come to hospital for routine outpatient appointments. Any patients who have these symptoms, and who have an appointment at Epsom Hospital, should call the telephone number on their appointment letter to reschedule it."
Patients suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting who have urgent appointments, such as those in our cancer clinics, should call the appointment number for advice and those
who need to attend A&E (accident and emergency) are being asked to contact their GP before attending, unless it is an emergency.
Pippa added: "In addition we are asking people only to visit relatives and friends at Epsom Hospital if it is absolutely necessary. If you do need to visit, please do not bring your children."
The symptoms of a Norovirus usually start between 24 - 48 hours after the initial infection, although they can start after as little as 12 hours. The first symptom is usually a sudden onset of nausea, which is followed by projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea. Some people may also have a mild fever, headaches, stomach cramps, or aching limbs.
Explaining the pressure Norovirus can put on hospitals, Pippa added: "Because the virus is so contagious, patients in close proximity to someone with the illness are at a high risk of catching it.
"As we try to isolate those with symptoms, it makes admitting patients to our hospitals much more difficult, and can, ultimately, mean that we have beds empty which we can't use. This obviously puts significant strains on the hospital."
29 patients at Epsom Hospital are currently suffering from the illness, with 75 out of 243 beds affected (these are beds which either have a patient suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting, or are unusable because they are in the same area).
Pippa said: "There is no particular treatment for Norovirus so the public can help limit the spread by staying away from hospitals and offices if they are unwell, as well as keeping poorly children off school so that they don't spread the illness.
"Because Norovirus spreads so easily, those with diarrhoea and vomiting should remain at home until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped. It's also a good idea to drink plenty of water once the vomiting has stopped, or if you are only suffering from diarrhoea. Personal hygiene must also be good so please make sure you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating and after going to the toilet."
People who have the Norovirus can expect the symptoms to go away within one to three days. If they are still feeling ill after this time, they should contact their GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for advice.
To help drive the message home, the Trust has put up posters around its hospitals which discourage visitors with viral infections from visiting.
