Diarrhoea closed Altnagelvin ward

A HIKE in diarrhoea among patients in a respiratory ward in Londonderry’s Altnagelvin Hospital prompted the Western Trust’s Director of Acute Services Geraldine Hillick to call on the public not to visit the facility if they were feeling unwell.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Mar 2013, 11:03 BST

Six patients were reported to have experienced symptoms by Tuesday, March 12. The ward was closed to new admissions as a result.

Ms Hillick said: “The Trust’s Infection Prevention and Control team is continuing to provide advice and increased infection control measures have been taken.

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“The public has an important role to play by not visiting the hospital if they are feeling unwell, particularly if they have diarrhoea and/or vomiting.

“And if someone has been unwell we would advise them to wait until at least 72 hours after they have had diarrhoea and/or vomiting before visiting the hospital.

“Those who are visiting are asked to thoroughly wash their hands before and after visiting, for their own protection as well as for the prevention of the spread of infection to patients.

“Visitors are asked to limit visiting to the designated times of between 3pm and 4pm and from 7pm until 8.30pm. They should only visit the one patient whilst at the hospital and should not move from ward to ward when visiting.”

Related topics:Altnagelvin HospitalAltnagelvinWestern Trust