Tuesday 25 February 2014
In addition to the high numbers of patients being referred to hospital for care and treatment, this morning, routine procedures have been put in place to minimise the impact of an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting that is currently being investigated on Victoria Wing, the private patient ward at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.
Five patients are affected and have been isolated as a routine precaution to minimise any chance of gastroenteritis affecting others within the hospital. One member of staff has also shown similar symptoms. Samples have been taken and sent for analysis to the UK in order to determine the cause of the sickness. Routine infection prevention measures are currently being implemented. This includes advising visitors (especially the elderly or young children) that they may wish to consider the risk of becoming unwell before visiting and postponing any new admissions to this ward for the next two days to ensure that people are not unnecessarily affected.
This has a direct impact on the admission of new patients to the private patient ward and therefore the overall capacity of the hospital as a whole.
More information will be provided as soon as the situation changes.
In more general terms, we would like to advise any visitors who may themselves have symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting or have family members who are experiencing these symptoms to consider how necessary their visit is before coming to any hospital or residential premises.
ENDS
