THE Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital is this week asking the relatives and friends of patients not to visit the hospital unless strictly necessary, as it fights to contain a new outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting illnesses. Three RD&E wards have been closed to new admissions to help control the spread of infection, and bays on four other wards have been affected. More than 40 patients are showing the symptoms and 20 medical and nursing staff have reported sick. The latest outbreak has coincided with a high level of emergency admissions, which means the trust is reviewing the need to postpone non-urgent surgery. Marie-Noelle Orzel, nursing director, said: ?We?re disappointed to be affected in this way, although not surprised as cases of diarrhoea and vomiting illnesses continue to be reported in the community. ?We?ll remain vigilant in terms of infection control and hope to get this latest outbreak under control by the end of the week. ?This is where local people can help us most. Patients should always come to us if they need emergency treatment or if they have an appointment. But if they are ill with vomiting or diarrhoea ? or have been in contact with someone who is or has been ? we ask them to call us to warn us before they arrive.? Ms Orzel said because people could bring the virus into the hospital, they were asking the family and friends of patients to stay away unless their visit was strictly necessary.
