Hospital’s plea over Norovirus

Bedford Hospital has issued the plea to anyone who uses the facility following outbreaks of the virus elsewhere in the country.

It also follows the closure of its own Pilgrim Ward due to the suspected winter vomiting virus earlier this year.

An outbreak lasting 73 days meant that 210 bed days were lost, with 70 staff, 179 patients and 20 visitors affected.

The hospital worked hard to tackle the outbreak but the bug is extremely contagious and it still managed to cause significant disruption to services.

Anyone who experiences signs of the virus like diarrhoea or vomiting is advised not to visit anyone at the hospital until they have been free of the symptoms for at least 48 hours.

Further information and advice on the Norovirus can be found at 
www.nhs.uk