Update as at 5th February 2020:
Due to high levels of patients with Norovirus at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals last week, we took the difficult decision to restrict visiting to all inpatient areas.
We are pleased to announce that we are now able to completely lift this restriction on inpatient visiting across the Trust.
We would like take the opportunity to thank you for your co-operation, we were able to contain the virus extremely quickly due to the measures in place and with the last wave of deep cleaning controls underway, we are pleased to report that we currently have no symptomatic patients.
Update as at 3rd February 2020:
We have been experiencing high levels of patients with Norovirus at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals. In order to prevent further spread of the virus we took the difficult decision last week to restrict visiting to all inpatient areas.
We are pleased to announce that the situation is improving and we are now able to lift the restriction on inpatient visiting from 08:00 Tuesday 4th February.
There will remain a restriction in place on Cherry Ward and BACU where there are still vulnerable symptomatic patients. We hope to be able to open these areas to visitors as soon as possible and will provide updates.
We would like to thank all patients and visitors for your patience, support and co-operation over the last week.
These measures have helped to safeguard patients and limit the spread of the virus.
If you do visit the hospitals, please continue to wash your hands with soap and water.
Please also remember that if you have symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea you should not come to hospital. You should wait until 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped. While the stomach bug can be very unpleasant, symptoms should pass within two-three days and it is not usually necessary to seek medical attention.
We will continue to update our website and social media channels with further information.
Update as at 31st January 2020:
Inpatient visiting restrictions will continue until 3rd February.
Initial Statement at at 28th January 2020:
Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals currently has a large number of patients with Norovirus. In order to safeguard patients and prevent spread of the virus to visitors we have taken the difficult decision to restrict visiting to all inpatient areas.
Inpatient visiting will be restricted to exceptional circumstances. Exceptions include visitors to patients at the end of their life, patients in intensive care, babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, children in paediatrics and partners to the maternity unit. In these incidences we ask that only two visitors attend at any time and no children or babies attend.
We have set up a hotline via the Patient Advice and Liaison Service, manned from 8am to 8pm, on 01932 723553 to provide advice and guidance to members of the public about visiting and for those seeking updates on their loved ones who are inpatients.
In order to bring the maximum opportunity to reduce transmission of Norovirus we are also taking measures to minimise footfall around the Trust and asking everyone to use the main entrance to St Peter’s Hospital where possible.
On entrance to the hospital building members of the public will be directed to hand washing facilities and provided with the necessary advice and guidance. Handwashing with soap and water is the best measure of infection control since alcohol gel is not effective against Norovirus.
If you’ve had symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting you should stay away from hospital until you’ve been clear of your symptoms for 48 hours. This includes outpatients – if you’ve had symptoms please call and rearrange your appointment which we will rearrange as quickly as possible. For Ashford 01784 884584 and for St Peter’s call 01932 723428.
Updates will be posted on the Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital website.
We would like to thank all patients and visitors for their support, patience and co-operation. We appreciate these restrictions and measures will cause concern but our focus is to maintain patient safety and prevent further spread of infection.
