Gloucester: Hospital Relaxes Visitor Restrictions

13 January 2014, 15:30 | Updated: 13 January 2014, 15:37

Members of the public are being asked not to visit relatives and friends on wards 4A and 4B at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital to assist in controlling the spread of a Diarrhoea & Vomiting illness (D&V).

Exceptions can be made for relatives hoping to visit on compassionate grounds. These visitors are being asked to telephone the effected ward prior to visiting. The visiting restrictions will be reviewed every day and lifted as soon as possible.

This is a precautionary measure and good infection control practice to protect patients and control the spread of the illness.

Meanwhile, other wards are anticipated to be reopened for evening visiting from 6pm tonight, however those visiting the cardiology department are advised to call ahead.

A small number of wards at the hospital have been affected by the illness, of which there are a number of cases in the community at this time of year.

Director of Service Delivery Eric Gatling:

“We hope that families and friends of our patients on wards 4A and 4B will understand why we are asking them not to visit for a short while longer. We hope to be in a position to re-introduce visiting on these wards in a matter of days and we would strongly urge people to take notice and act on the Combat Norovirus campaign messages which have got a high profile presence on posters, large banners and signs at both main hospitals.
 
By doing this, the public can help us stop the spread of Norovirus, protect vulnerable patients and support NHS services”.