Bug outbreak closes second ward at Altnagelvin Hospital

A vomiting and diarrhoea bug has resulted in a second ward at Altnagelvin Hospital being closed to admissions.

Ward 8, a specialist surgical ward which closed last week, reopened this morning as is now operating as normal.

But now the Gynae Ward (Ward 4) is closed to admissions due to the outbreak.

To date, six patients have experienced symptoms and as part of an infection prevention and control measure, the ward has been closed to admissions.

Hospital management has asked members of the public who have been ill recently not to visit.

Alan McKinney, Western Trust Medical Director said said there was “no direct relation” between the closure of the two wards.

Mr McKinney added: “When an increase in vomiting and diarrhoea is experienced in the community it can have an impact on hospital services and instances such as this are often the case at this time of year.

“The Trust’s Infection Prevention and Control team is continuing to provide advice and increased infection control measures have been taken.”

Mr McKinney said the public had an “important role” to play by not visiting the hospital if they were feeling unwell, particularly if they have diarrhoea and/or vomiting.

He added: “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.”

Visitors 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 also being asked to limit visiting to the designated times of between 3pm and 4pm and from 7.00pm until 8.30pm.

They should only visit the one patient whilst at the hospital and should not move from ward to ward when visiting.

Mr McKinney added: “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 currently affected, including any other appointments or services being cancelled.”