Fears RD&E could call off operations as bug cases rise
MORE cases of the diarrhoea and vomiting bug norovirus have been confirmed at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, prompting fears that operations could again be postponed.
Earlier this year, when eight wards were affected by the highly-contagious bug, the RD&E cancelled some non-urgent operations to ease pressure on beds.
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The Royal Devon & Exeter hospital
With nine wards currently affected by diarrhoea and vomiting, the RD&E said yesterday that it was keeping a close eye on the situation.
A hospital spokeswoman said: "As is typical in half-term holiday time, our surgical work was planned to be lower than average this week.
"However, activity levels will be back to normal next Monday.
"We are currently reviewing all waiting lists and if we need to cancel any procedures because of closed wards or beds, patients will be notified as soon as possible and alternative arrangements will be made."
The latest update from the RD&E showed Bovey ward, Dinham ward, Kenn ward and Clyst ward were closed to admissions because of norovirus.
Bovey specialises in the care of the elderly and those with Parkinson's disease; Dinham in breast and endocrine, or hormone, surgery; Kenn ward in Parkinson's disease and care for the elderly; and Clyst, where only one patient is currently affected, is for stroke patients.
Dart Ward — specialising in urology and general surgery — is also closed, although norovirus has not yet been confirmed.
Another four wards have one bay — or part of a ward — closed because of diarrhoea and vomiting.
They are Exe, which is for general medicine, vascular waiting list and emergency surgery; Dyball, which is for patients undergoing planned orthopaedic surgery; Okement, for gastroenterology and general medicine; and Avon, a cardiology and dermatology ward.
The RD&E is again issuing reminders that the bug is mostly brought in by the public and that visitors should not go into the hospital if they have had any symptoms of diarrhoea and or vomiting or have been in contact with someone who is suffering from the symptoms.
The hospital says visitors will need to have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours before visiting.
The hospital has also appealed for visitors who are symptom-free to stay away from the closed wards unless absolutely necessary.
The RD&E says that all affected wards will be deep-cleaned before being reopened for new admissions and to the public.
SEE TOMORROW'S ECHO FOR MORE ON THIS STORY
Comments
by Roni, Exeter
Thursday, October 30 2008, 11:58PM
“Recently I had cause to complain to the RD&E because a family member who stayed overnight and had vomitted while I was there, did not have the sick cardboard bowl taken away even after I asked staff on several occasions on that shift to do so. I had to leave around 7p.m. I found that the bowl was removed the next morning!!! Neither the day staff or the night staff bothered to remove it. I rang and spoke to the matron of that ward and she apologised and said that the staff must have been too busy and got carried away and forgot!! Is there any wonder that the bugs are still around.. Also around 8am in the morning there were rubbish plastic bags inside the entrance to the wards near the reception areas.. RD&E need to re-evaluate their cleaning company and/or whoever is responsible for the simple matter of basic hygeine in the hospital.”