May 15, 2017 2.22 pm This story is over 82 months old

Scunthorpe hospital ward remains closed one week after norovirus outbreak

One ward remains closed at Scunthorpe General Hospital due to an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting. Ward 22 has been fully closed to new admissions and transfers since May 8. Patients from the ward will not be discharged to nursing or residential homes while they remain an infection risk. The infection prevention and control team…

One ward remains closed at Scunthorpe General Hospital due to an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting.

Ward 22 has been fully closed to new admissions and transfers since May 8.

Patients from the ward will not be discharged to nursing or residential homes while they remain an infection risk.

The infection prevention and control team are reviewing the situation daily and regular and frequent disinfection is being carried out on the ward to contain the outbreak.

Dr Peter Cowling, trust consultant microbiologist, said: “This type of illness does come into the hospital from time to time, as in other hospitals across the country, and that is why we have a robust infection control policy in place to deal with such eventualities.

“This illness lasts about 24 hours and, although unpleasant, very rarely causes serious medical problems.”

Visitors who have been suffering from diarrhoea and/or vomiting are urged not to come to the hospital until they have been symptom free for 48 hours, as they will be infectious to others during this period.