Head and neck ward closed due to vomiting and diarrhoea

The Western Health and Social Care Trust is asking people not to visit patients in Altnagelvin Hospital if they have been feeling unwell themselves.

An increase in vomiting and diarrhoea has been experienced among patients in Ward 8, which treats Head and Neck patients, at Altnagelvin Hospital in recent days and as an infection prevention and control measure, the ward is currently closed to admissions. To date four patients and two staff have experienced such symptoms.

Geraldine McKay, Director of Acute Services at the Western Trust said: “The Trust’s Infection Prevention and Control team is continuing to provide advice and increased infection control measures have been taken.

She continued: “The public has an important role to play by not visiting the hospital if they are feeling unwell, particularly if they have diarrhoea and/or vomiting.

“And if someone has been unwell we would advise them to wait until at least 72 hours after they have had diarrhoea and/or vomiting before visiting the hospital.

“Those who are visiting are asked to thoroughly wash their hands before and after visiting, for their own protection as well as for the prevention of the spread of infection to patients.

“Visitors are asked to limit visiting to the designated times of between 3pm and 4pm and from 7pm until 8.30pm.They should only visit the one patient whilst at the hospital and should not move from ward to ward when visiting.

“We are asking relatives and friends of patients in hospital for their understanding and cooperation with the nursing staff with the arrangements which have been put in place in the interest of patients.”

No other area of the hospital is affected, including any other appointments or services being cancelled.