NHS Western Isles closes Uist and Barra Hospital to visitors

NHS Western Isles has closed the Uist and Barra Hospital ward in Benbecula to visitors due to an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting. Visitors are asked to stay away from the ward area. In exceptional circumstances, family should speak to the nurse in charge before entering the hospital ward. 

Outpatient clinics are currently unaffected and will continue as normal, but people attending outpatients are asked to not to visit the ward and to stay away if they have been unwell with diarrhoea or vomiting in the previous 48 hours. Norovirus (otherwise known as the ‘winter vomiting bug’) is circulating in the community and it is key that members of the public take precautions to help prevent them catching or spreading the infection to others. Visitors to hospitals and care homes in the Western Isles are specifically being asked to wash their hands with soap and water before and after visiting, and to avoid visiting if they have experienced any norovirus symptoms (for 48 hours after the last symptom).

Norovirus is usually self-limiting and will settle after a day or two. Symptoms commonly include:

• Nausea and diarrhoea (with or without vomiting)
• Stomach cramps
• Low-grade fever and/or chills
• Headache and muscle aches
• Fatigue.

NHS Western Isles has issued the following general health advice:

To minimise the spread of Norovirus:

• Wash your hands thoroughly after visiting the toilet
• Hand washing with soap and water, not just using the alcohol gels, is important
• As norovirus can be droplet spread, make sure any surfaces that have been contaminated are cleaned with a bleach-based disinfectant; this includes toilet seats, handles and taps and surrounding surfaces. Take care to ensure that the disinfectant is used safely and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions 

Additionally those with symptoms should

• Drink plenty of fluids to stay well hydrated.
• Stay at home until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.
• Do not visit hospitals, nurseries or residential care homes if affected.

NHS Western Isles Head of Infection Prevention & Control, Janice Mackay said: “Norovirus affects people of all ages. The virus is easily spread by contact with an infected person, especially through their hands. As the infection is so contagious, we would urge members of the public to ensure they follow infection control practices, and good hand hygiene is key to preventing the spread of infection.”

Further information:

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/norovirus