Norovirus at the Royal Bolton Hospital

The Royal Bolton Hospital is currently dealing with an increase in patients with Norovirus and is appealing for support from hospital visitors to help stop the spread.

Winter vomiting disease - or Norovirus - causes sickness and/or diarrhoea, and circulates in the community. It is highly infectious, and can spread easily in places such as schools and nursing homes. If it reaches a hospital then strict infection control measures mean that wards have to temporarily stop admitting patients.

Two wards are currently closed to new admissions and a number are under observation so we can quickly pick up any further new patients with symptoms. The situation is being closely monitored on a regular basis.

We have put into place measures for preventing the spread of Norovirus in the hospital. We are also working closely with our colleagues in community healthcare to make sure we know in advance from GPs and nursing homes if any patients who are coming into hospital already have symptoms.

In order to protect our patients, we are trying to restrict the number of people attending the hospital and are appealing to the public to only attend if absolutely necessary. Anyone visiting with symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea should stay at home.

People who do visit should make sure that they thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water on entering and leaving any ward areas.

Maria Sinfield, head of clinical practice, said: "We are trying to reduce the number of staff and visitors accessing these areas to prevent cross-infection. We are taking every precaution we can to limit the chance of the virus spreading to other areas.

"We would appreciate support from visitors in this effort. Anyone with symptoms we are asking to stay at home to protect all our patients. Those who do come to the hospital please use the hygiene stations to wash your hands thoroughly before entering and leaving wards and departments."