Vomiting bug hits hospital
A UNIT at North Devon District Hospital was closed down today after an outbreak of a diarrhoea and vomiting bug.
A suspected case of norovirus, which is highly contagious, has forced the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) at the hospital to close.
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The closure of the MAU, which is used to assess the initial treatment of patients, has put added strain on the hospital.
Some operations will be cancelled following the outbreak, although all affected patients will be contacted.
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust has also asked those intending to visit A & E to try other possible options.
This could include visiting minor injury units at community hospitals across North Devon.
Hospital visitors should also stay away if they have been in contact with someone with diarrhoea or vomiting — or have themselves had the bug — in the last 48 hours.
Patients affected by the suspected norovirus have been isolated.
7 Comments
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by Bob, Barnstaple
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 11:51AM
“Over the last 12 months or so I have been an inpatient at the MAU at 3 different times. On each occasion the toilets were left dirty with urine, blood and faeces on the seat and floor.
This was mainly caused by patients who were too sick to help themselves, however, it was often many hours before things were cleaned up.
The same situation was the same in some of the other wards as well.
The NDDH must do more to prevent the spread of infection.”
by Meme, Barnstaple
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 9:41AM
“The nursing staff are brilliant at the hospital...it is not their responsibility to keep the place clean and spotless...that was outsourced years ago and that is the problem!! I expect the government would like to see us all paying for private treatment in private hospitals paying our own health insurances to save themselves more money to pay more pen pushers!!”
by Richard Morgan, Bideford
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 7:02PM
“Alexandra Peters comments, don't relate to the Hospital I was treated in on Sunday and Monday. I was given extensive advice on Sunday I received treatment and advice from 6 people , then on Monday while it was busy I received great CARE and went home with my Injury treated in under 24 hours.”
by On the look out for inbreds, Woolacombe
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 5:58PM
“I suppose we should expect nothing more from a Yelland dweller. He probably couldn't even read the signs above every spirigel dispenser he passed on the way out of the ward.”
by Jon, Barnstaple
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 1:24PM
“Mr Peters, this issue is with the people coming into the hospital. People DO NOT clean their hands upon entering and leaving the wards. This is essential if we are going to strive for excellence in our hospitals.”