Visiting is being restricted at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust on all wards to help stop the spread of Norovirus, which is currently affecting the local community.
Visiting will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances. The change took effect from yesterday, Monday 30th November.
Norovirus is currently prevalent in the local area and some people who have displayed symptoms of the infection have chosen to visit their relatives in hospital despite being unwell.
The RUH is tackling the viral infection which causes diarrhoea and vomiting and has taken the decision to restrict the number of people visiting the site to reduce the ongoing risk of infection to their vulnerable patients.
Helen Blanchard, Director of Nursing and Midwifery at the RUH, said: “By taking the difficult decision to restrict visiting, we are significantly reducing the number of opportunities for norovirus to reach our patients and staff.
“We appreciate that families like to visit their loved ones when they are in hospital, but we need to balance this with preventing our vulnerable patients from catching this virus.”
If you feel that your visit to a ward is essential, for example if a relative is terminally ill or critically ill, or on any other compassionate grounds, then please telephone the ward for advice in advance before you leave home.
These restrictions also apply to maternity, NICU and the Children’s ward where only parents of the patients will be permitted to be on the wards.
In addition, if patients are due to come into the hospital for an operation or procedure and have symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting they should telephone the ward or department before they leave home to agree whether they should still have their operation as planned.
The RUH’s outpatient clinics are open as usual, so people should continue to attend their appointments, unless they are ill.
If that is the case, please contact the relevant department to inform them that you are unable to attend.
