More hospital wards shut amid norovirus outbreak

A total of three wards have now been affected by cases of norovirus, which causes sickness and diarrhoea

More hospital wards have been closed at a Nottinghamshire hospital due to an outbreak of norovirus.

The first ward at King's Mill Hospital, in Sutton-in-Ashfield closed on Wednesday after nine patients contracted the contagious disease, also known as the "winter vomiting bug".

Since then, the ward has reopened but a further two have closed, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - which runs the site - said on Friday.

Sally Palmer, nurse consultant for infection, prevention and control said: "We know that during the winter periods we will see cases of norovirus and we have plans in place to deal with that and to manage it safely."

The trust confirmed on Friday that nine patients were testing positive for the disease, seven were symptomatic and it had identified 32 patients who had been in contact with a positive patient.

Ms Palmer said no new patients would be admitted to the closed wards and affected patients would only be discharged if they could go back into their own homes and not another care facility, such as a care home.

'More frequent cleaning'

She added that it was "inevitable" the trust would see cases of norovirus this time of year.

Visitors had been advised not to go to the hospital where possible "especially if they're coming to visit somebody who is symptomatic" but Ms Palmer added the trust recognised some visitors would "need" to go.

Meanwhile, cleaning on wards has been increased with "high-touch areas" such as door handles cleaned more frequently and where possible, positive patients being moved to side rooms to reduce the risk of spread to others.

Ms Palmer said: "It's still important that if patients need to come to the hospital, absolutely do come in.

"We can't say you won't get norovirus when we have cases within that trust but we do everything we can to reduce that risk."