A number of wards at the Royal United Hospital in Bath are still closed to new admissions following a number of outbreaks of the diarrhoea and vomiting bug norovirus.
Last week the hospital appealed to members of the public and their families to help prevent further spread of the norovirus infection by avoiding visiting the hospital.
The RUH is experiencing an increase in the number of patients with norovirus, which is a viral infection that causes diarrhoea and vomiting (D&V).
Increasing numbers of cases in the community have resulted in mainly patients (but some visitors and staff) being affected.
The situation has escalated over the last couple of weeks and five wards were closed to new admissions, although patients on these wards continue to receive full treatment.
In a statement, the hospital said: “We continue to have wards closed due to norovirus. Norovirus is still prevalent in the wider community and we are taking necessary precautions to prevent the spread of infection.
“We continue to urge members of the public to stay away from the hospital unless their visit is absolutely necessary.
“We would like to thank everyone who has deferred their visit during this period of restricted visiting.
“The sooner the virus is contained, the sooner we can re-open wards and reinstate full visiting.”
It was revealed in an email to staff at the RUH last week that some of their colleagues had not been following basic infection control, leading to potential further outbreaks of norovirus across the hospital.
The email said: “Despite strong appeals to all staff, basic infection control protocol is not being routinely followed.
“There have been staff whose infection control behaviour falls below acceptable standards. Make sure this does not apply to you.
“Not adhering to mandated standards puts you in breach of your contract of employment, puts your patients, yourself, and your family at risk of infection, and is something for which we have zero tolerance.”
