Important information – norovirus (winter vomiting virus)

• This winter has seen a significant rise in cases of norovirus, the bug which causes diarrhoea and vomiting
  
  
• This bug is in the community and can easily find its way into the hospital
  
  
• We need to stop the spread of this bug and protect our patients
  
  
• Under no circumstances should you come to the hospital if you have been sick or had diarrhoea in the last 48 hours
  
  
• If you have been in close contact with someone who has had sickness and diarrhoea you are very likely to become ill – do not enter the hospital
  
  
• If necessary, please seek medical advice from your GP or NHS Direct (0845 46 47)
  
  
• If you are well, do not visit patients on wards unless absolutely necessary and only if you have cleared your visit with the ward staff
  
  
• Outpatient clinics are running as usual – but only for those who are free of sickness and diarrhoea
  
  
• We are taking precautions in order to protect our patients and to stop the spread of this bug.
  
  
• It may become necessary to close some wards and restrict visitors access to the hospital

Together we can fight infection