Visitor restrictions lifted

Editorial Department • Published 21 Apr 2011 13:30 0 Comments

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The restriction of one visitor to a patient has been lifted in wards 8,9 and 10 at the Erne Hospital.

This restriction, lifted on Monday, had been implemented to halt the spread of infection.

The Western Health Trust's visiting policy which stipulates that there should be no more than two visitors at a patient's bedside is now operational again.

Increased restrictions on visiting were put in place as part of efforts to help control the potential spread of infection following an increase in vomiting and diarrhoea among patients in a number of ward areas. The wards involved are now reopened for patient admissions.

Dr. Anne Kilgallen, Western Trust Medical Director, said the incidence of vomiting and diarrhoea among patients in hospital had reduced but she advised that staff and the public should remain vigilant, given the prevalence of Norovirus in the community. Norovirus is a short-term, unpleasant illness, with most people getting better within a few days.

She said: "I would like to thank relatives and friends of patients in the Erne hospital, and the patients themselves, for their understanding and cooperation with the nursing staff regarding the increased restriction on visiting in Wards 8, 9 and 10.

"I would also like to pay tribute to the Trust's infection prevention and control team for their support and advice, to the clinical staff for their ongoing high quality patient care and to Support Services staff during this period. The cooperation of GP colleagues was also much appreciated.

"While the incidents of vomiting and diarrhoea have decreased, Trust staff are not complacent given the prevalence of Norovirus in the community and we continue to ask the public to support efforts to reduce the potential for the spread of infection.

"In line with good infection prevention and control advice, people are asked not to visit the Erne Hospital or indeed any hospital if they have been feeling unwell, particularly if they have diarrhoea and/or vomiting. If someone has been unwell we would advise them to wait until at least 48 hours after they have been ill before visiting the hospital.

"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 they should not move from ward to ward when visiting.

"Those who are visiting are asked to thoroughly wash their hands before and after visiting."

Meanwhile the Public Health Agency (PHA) has called for people to be aware of the continuing presence of the winter vomiting virus within both the community and healthcare facilities.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 21 Apr 11

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