Visiting fully reopen at North Manchester General Hospital

Marian Carroll, Director of Nursing at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Temporary visiting restrictions put in place over Christmas and New Year at North Manchester General Hospital in Crumpsall have now been lifted, but the public are being urged to stay away from hospital if they are struck with the seasonal Norovirus.

The Norovirus winter vomiting bug can spread quickly and if it gets in to hospitals it can lead to wards being unable to accept any new admissions, NHS staff going off sick and appointments being postponed.

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs North Manchester General Hospital, took the decision on 20th December to close all wards to visitors following a significant outbreak as a precautionary measure to prevent the virus spreading.

Norovirus’ symptoms include a sudden onset of vomiting and/or diarrhoea. Some people may have a temperature, headache and stomach cramps. The illness usually resolves in one or two days and there are no long-term effects.

Marian Carroll, Director of Nursing at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The priority is to protect our patients and staff. Our staff have been working extremely hard to deal with this outbreak and the decision to restrict visiting was necessary to help prevent the spread of the infection and ensure safe patient care.

“We currently have the situation under control but it is important that our staff and the public demonstrate good infection control and hygiene practice including hand washing and visitors are asked to use the alcohol hand gel, particularly when entering and on leaving the wards.

“We are asking friends and relatives of patients and members of the public that to visit the hospital they must not have been sick or had diarrhoea in the last 72 hours or been in close contact with someone who has been ill with these symptoms.”

People are also being reminded that they need to choose well when it comes to getting treatment. People naturally seem to default to going to A&E or their GP, especially if they have Norovirus. They are being urged not to do this as it will increase the chance of the bug spreading. Instead it is better to stay at home as the infection is a self-limiting illness and you will recover naturally without treatment.

You can follow these simple steps to help:

1. Take plenty of fluids

2. Wash your hands regularly

3. Keep yourself away from others – especially from GP surgeries or hospitals

4. If your symptoms continue for more than two days seek advice from NHS Direct (www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or call 0845 4647)