An outbreak of the vomiting and diarrhoea bug Norovirus is affecting Cornish hospitals.

Relatives and carers are being asked to help reduce the risk of spreading Norovirus by phoning wards before visiting the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, and West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance. 

RCHT nurse director, Christine Perry said: ’We’re not putting a stop on visiting but are asking all visitors to ring the ward they wish to visit for advice before setting out and hope they will support our request for help.

’We would ask that visiting is kept to close family and friends, who can keep their wider family and friends informed about the well-being of the person in hospital. Young children should not visit.’ 

Christine added: ’We know there are currently high levels of the Norovirus bug, which causes sickness and diarrhoea, in the community and have seen an increase in the number of patients with symptoms. 

’We have eight areas at the Royal Cornwall Hospital currently closed to new admissions as a result of confirmed or suspected cases of Norovirus.

’It’s crucial that anyone who is admitted to hospital tells us if they have recently had symptoms themselves or if they’ve been in contact with a family member or anyone else who has been unwell with diarrhoea and/or sickness.’

Outpatient clinics are not affected but anyone who has had diarrhoea and/ or vomiting should avoid coming to hospital until at least 48 hours after their symptoms have gone. 

Anyone who has been in contact with a person with these symptoms should also avoid coming into hospital until at least 48 hours after that contact. 

Patients will be contacted personally if there is any need to change a planned appointment. 

Good hygiene is important in preventing others from becoming infected – this includes thorough hand washing using soap and warm water, as alcohol hand gels will not kill the virus.  

More information on Norovirus can be found on the NHS Choices website: www.nhs.uk