Hospital ward remains closed due to norovirus

17 December 2012

Closure of Corbiere Ward

Due to the ongoing presence of norovirus in Jersey and the UK, Corbiere Ward in the hospital remains closed to new admissions. The ward was closed on Friday to help stop the spread of the illness.

A very small number of patients (fewer than 10) who were scheduled to have non-urgent surgery this week have had their surgery cancelled. This number will be kept to an absolute minimum, and the decision will be reviewed on a daily basis.

Staff working to reduce the impact of norovirus at the hospital

Patients who are ill with norovirus-type symptoms in other parts of the hospital are being isolated. Staff at the hospital are working hard to reduce the impact of norovirus across services. A small number of health staff are ill with norovirus and are away from their duties to help prevent further spread.

Islanders are reminded of the following:

do not to visit friends or family at the hospital if they have symptoms of norovirus
if you have recently been in contact with someone who has norovirus symptoms, you should avoid visiting the hospital
if you are coming to the hospital to visit relatives and friends, please limit your visit to the relevant area only

To see how you can help stop the spread of norovirus, see our 'Norovirus and other infectious diseases' page.

Norovirus and other infectious diseases (health and wellbeing section)

Risk to patients visiting the hospital

Angela Body, Director of Operations at the hospital, said "We always cancel any surgery as a last resort. However, with an illness of this type, we have to put the welfare of people coming into the hospital first, and carefully consider the risks to each patient on an individual basis from norovirus if they are due to have surgery. Anyone who is affected by these cancellations will be contacted, and can be reassured that their surgery will be re-scheduled as soon as possible. If you are not contacted, this means your surgery is going ahead as normal. We hope people can understand why we have had to take this precaution."

Mrs Body added "The commitment of staff is very much appreciated. This weekend, people came in from home to help, who were not on call, and we are very, very grateful for the continued willingness of staff to help. Their professionalism is a credit to them."