Forums Forums Local News Norovirus Outbreak A.P.H

http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/1...s_visitor_ban_at_five_Arrowe_Park_wards/

VISITORS have been banned from five wards at Arrowe Park Hospital after an outbreak of vomiting bug Norovirus

Restrictions have been put in place “until further notice” on wards 21, 24, 25, 26 and 27 of the hospital in a bid to stop the spread of the illness.

A spokesman for Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust – which operates Arrowe Park – said: “There has been an increase in the number of people coming into our emergency department with symptoms of Norovirus.

“We are aware that this highly contagious sickness bug is currently in the local community. It can be spread very easily both by contact with someone who has the virus but also by contact with surfaces and items they have touched.”

I dont think enough importance is placed on using the disinfectant hand gels. Ive done a stack of visiting over the last 2 years in 20 and 21 and watched whilst hanging round, out of interest/boredom to see who gels their hands on entering/leaving . Answer about one in five . You ring the bell , its answered and door opens, but no-one looks to see if you do your hands (or indeed to see if you're Freddie Kruger brandishing a knife for that matter). Regularly seen Drs and nurses passing the dispensers by too after entering ,and even leaving after attending to patients. Even people who use the gel just seem to give their hands a token swipe against each other instead of the recommended time. Seems a shame when Norovirus is so debilitating and unpleasant for all concerned.Its not the total answer of course, but its bound to help.

I agree Venice. I too have spent time on Hand Gel Watch- very few use them.

Norovirus is awful- would not wish it on anybody.

There has been a virus problem for the past couple of weeks which has spread.

Visiting is restricted on certain wards that are affected to one visitor per patient but this is now down the ward staff. You are asked to wear a plastic apron and hand wash if visiting a patient who may have moved a side room due to infection.

I have to say , i agree that people do not seem to use the hand gel at Arrowe but working at Clatterbridge it IS USED BY STAFF AND PATIENTS, because part of my job is to replace them ,so i know how many are used in a week ,at least on my area,maybe because of Cancer Unit and Wards but it SHOULD be used more ...

Oh Missy, the irony of people using the provided Hand Gel on a Cancer Unit...... I apologise if my comment offends anybody, not intended to.

I must admit Rudebox but it sounds like you have written off cancer patients as a lost cause. Missmahjong I fail to see how replacing a lot of gell equates to all staff and patients using them. Some people may use 3mg, others 10mg and some none at all. How can you tell each and everyone uses it?

Hence my advance apology G.

No worries Rude, i think i get your humour by now, no offence taken here

Replacing hand gels alot SHOWS, they are being used ,you are meant to use 2 pumps, i DO see staff and patients using them on my shift.Maybe NOT everyone do's but on the whole the are used ..Not done a survey as such...

I feel an FOI coming on..... Clatterbridge v APH

Sorry Miss' I was just showing how easy it is to be pedantic. Keep up the good work - no, that isn't sarcasm.

Has anybody here had Norovirus before?

Awful, awful, awful....I pood liquid water, as clear as glass. Nothing left to lose. Sorry, TMI but it is horrid.

God help those, who are already ill.

The statistics speak for themselves as regards infection control At CB and AP. CB has a really good record compared to AP, but if course AP is considerably bigger and harder to control.