Monday 12th March 2012



Chesterfield Royal Hospital has told us that once again it has had to take the difficult decision to close wards as 8 have now fallen foul of the norovirus.

They are advising that as of today they are closed to visitors in order to try and prevent the spread of the infection further. They are asking that if you have a relative who is a patient in the hospital, you call the ward and ask for further advice (exceptions may apply in some cases).

The normal running of the hospital is not currently affected and we will keep you up to date with developments as they happen.

Once again the hospital wishes to thank everyone for their patience.

The full statement issued by the hospital reads -

With deep regret, the board of directors at Chesterfield Royal Hospital has taken the step of closing the hospital to all visitors to adult in-patient wards with immediate effect.

This is to try and resolve the outbreak of Norovirus currently affecting eight of our wards - with many patients and staff succumbing to the illness.

Norovirus (or winter vomiting disease) is an unpleasant 'bug' that causes violent sickness and diarrhoea.

It IS NOT a hospital acquired infection, but is an infection that spreads rapidly in the community. The illness is self-limiting, but can have severe consequences for patients who are already fighting illness and recovering from surgery.

Following the closure in February, we have continued to appeal to the community NOT to visit if they have symptoms. Despite this there have been several further occasions where visitors have come to hospital and experienced episodes of diarrhoea and sickness on our wards. This is not helping us to resolve this outbreak.

We are in considerable danger of not being able to function - and we want to ensure we can continue to offer critically ill patients the hospital care they need - and have enough staff to provide services safely.

For these reasons we have taken this difficult decision until this outbreak is under control.

We appreciate how much relatives and friends want to see their loved ones whilst they are in hospital, but hope you understand why we have had to take this tough step.

You are of course welcome to contact the wards for updates over the phone; and we will ensure we keep our website, Facebook and Twitter pages updated as the situation changes - as well as keeping local radio, TV and newspapers informed.

As soon as we are confident that we are symptom free for the requisite 72 hours, we will re-open to visiting as usual.

In the meantime, if you want to find out more about Norovirus, its symptoms, how to treat it - and how to help prevent it spreading - please go to www.chesterfieldroyal.nhs.uk or view our information video on www.YouTube.co.uk

The hospital has also issued the following Q&A sheet
for patients, relatives, carers and friends...

Why have you stopped people visiting patients in hospital?
We've taken this tough step to try and resolve the outbreak of Norovirus currently affecting a number of our adult in-patient wards - with many patients and staff affected by the illness.

Are all wards affected by the closure?
At the present time, all adult in-patient wards are affected by the closure, but visitors will still be allowed on to ITU and HDU, the children's ward, the maternity ward and neo-natal unit. Individuals may also be allowed visitors if they have a specific clinical need or situation (for example on the Emergency Assessment Unit). These cases will be discussed with individual families as they arise.

What is Norovirus?
Norovirus (or winter vomiting disease) is an unpleasant 'bug' that causes violent sickness and diarrhoea for a few days.

Is it a hospital-acquired infection?
NO. It's a common infection that spreads rapidly in the community.

Why is it a risk for patients?
It's an unpleasant enough illness to contract if you are healthy. The illness is self-limiting (it usually clears up of its own accord) but it can have severe consequences for patients who are already fighting illness and recovering from surgery.

Why is closing the hospital to visitors the only option?
When we closed to visitors in February, we saw a decline in the number of new cases and we were able to re-open the following week. As before, all of our usual communications are not working. We have appealed to the community not to visit if they have symptoms. Despite this there have still been several occasions where visitors have come to hospital when they are clearly ill themselves. They have experienced episodes of diarrhoea and sickness whilst on our wards - and have passed the infection on to vulnerable patients.

This is not helping us to resolve this outbreak. It is putting our patients at risk; and in the same way we do not want to put visitors at risk of contracting the infection from patients.

How are you making sure visitors can't get on the wards?
We've publicised the closure through local newspapers and radio; and posted regular news on our own website, on Facebook and on Twitter. We've also contacted relatives by phone if we have been able to do so.

Anyone who still arrives at the hospital to visit will see signs and information at the main entrance and at the visitor's entrance explaining what's happening and there are staff and governors on hand to talk to. And as a final precaution we've taken the decision to lock the doors to all wards to prevent direct access.

How many wards are affected?
A large proportion of our adult in-patient wards are affected with Norovirus in varying degrees. Patients and staff have contracted the infection.

What does this mean for the day to day running of the hospital?
We are in considerable danger of not being able to function!

We are trying to run the hospital with far fewer beds than we would normally have available to us; and we want to try and remain open - to ensure we can continue to offer critically ill patients the hospital care they need; and have enough staff on duty to provide services safely.

What if I'm due to come in for an operation?
If we are struggling with bed numbers you may be contacted by phone the day before you are due to come in to surgery. The nurse who contacts you will let you know the current situation and will also ask you if you have had any symptoms of Norovirus in the previous 72 hours. PLEASE ANSWER HONESTLY. If you have been ill with this type of 'bug' it increases the risk of surgery and anaesthesia and your surgery may need to be postponed.

If you are still advised to come in for your surgery please ensure that anyone bringing you to hospital does not have signs and symptoms of Norovirus either.

Could I be admitted to a ward where there is already Norovirus?
Only as a last resort. For example, if you needed to be admitted in an emergency situation, a clinical decision will be taken to assess if the risk of admitting you to a ward with Norovirus outweighs the risk of not providing you with the specialist care you require.

What if I come to hospital to assist with my loved ones care, or I have an appointment to discuss their treatment?
You will be contacted by the ward directly to tell you what you need to do. If the senior nursing and clinical staff feel it is still important for you to be involved in your relative's care you will be asked to confirm that you are not suffering from a 'bug' and that you have not had any symptoms of Norovirus in the previous 72 hours. AGAIN, PLEASE ANSWER HONESTLY.

What if I need to bring in clean pyjamas or nightwear for a patient?
We will ensure your loved one has what they need during the closure period using our laundry supplies.

What if I need to bring soiled clothing home for washing?
You are able to come to the ward and use the intercom button to contact the ward. A member of staff will bring the soiled clothing bag down to you.

What if my loved one requires other items - such as toiletries or money?
We will help patients as much as we can - but if you feel there is no other option than to come in please telephone the ward and seek advice. If you hand over any property for us to deliver you will be asked to sign an indemnity form for our records.

What if I am due to collect a patient from hospital because they are fit to go home?
The ward will contact family members when a patient can go home. You will be asked to arrive at the ward doors and buzz the intercom. A member of staff will escort the patient to you.

When will the wards re-open to visitors?
At this stage we do not know. It depends on how quickly this outbreak 'dies out'. Once a ward has been symptom free for 72 hours it needs to undergo an intensive cleaning before it can re-open. We are reviewing the situation every day, several times a day - but we do not expect to make any changes to the visiting policy at present.

As soon as we feel it is suitable to re-open to visitors we will make an announcement on our website*, on Facebook* and Twitter* and through the Chesterfield Post and other local media.

Where can I find out more information if I need to?
You are of course welcome to contact the wards for updates over the phone; and we will ensure we keep our website*, Facebook* and Twitter* pages updated as the situation changes - as well as keeping local radio, TV and newspapers informed.

Is there anything I can do to help?
We need local people to stay away from hospital with any form of sickness and diarrhoea 'bug'. This helps prevent the spread of infection on wards and in clinics.

We also need people to follow excellent hand hygiene. Use the gel dispensers at hospital entrances (when you arrive and leave) and those placed on ward spines. Gel dispensers are also at the end of patient beds. In addition we need you to wash your hands at the hand wash stations. You'll find these at the ward spine entrances. Use hot water and soap, wash for thirty seconds (fronts, backs, wrists, and in-between fingers and around thumbs) and dry thoroughly. There's a handwashing video on our website or on our YouTube* channel.

We understand how distressing this is for visitors concerned about the health and well-being of their loved ones. We thank you for your understanding in this unprecedented situation.

* How do I keep up with the latest news?

Via our Website at www.chesterfieldroyal.nhs.uk
and Facebook at www.facebook.com/chesterfieldroyalhospital
and Twitter at www.twitter.com/royalhospital
and YouTube at www.youtube.com/Thechesterfieldroyal
and of course, here on The Chesterfield Post and via other local news sources.

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KICK THIS BUG INTO TOUCH -
Chesterfield FC and nurses from Derbyshire Community Health Services have joined forces to give one of the most virulent and severe winter bugs the 'Red Card'. More...

MODERN MAKEOVER PUTS STROKE PATIENTS FIRST -
Over 450 stroke patients in Chesterfield are to benefit from a £1.4m purpose-built facility for stroke sufferers will soon open at the Royal. More...

BLOOD DRAW TO SCORE DRAW -
A local donor who was one of the first to give blood at the new B2 NET stadium was Guest of Honour to see The Spireites grab a draw in the dying minutes of the game against Bradford on Saturday. More...

MORE FANS FOR ROYAL HOSPITAL -
A few weeks ago Chesterfield Hospital was appealing for friends on Facebook - now they're proud to announce they have fans of a different kind. More...

FLU ADVICE -
As swine flu cases once again begin to rise, Chesterfield Royal hospital is advising people who think they, or someone they know may have the illness to visit their website in the first instance for further advice. More...

STROKE SERVICES SHOWCASED AT HOSPITAL -
The statistics are frightening - around 150 000 people have a stroke every year, it's the largest form of disability and the 3rd most common cause of death in the UK More...

WHEN A CHILD IS BORN -
There were bumper bundles of joy at Chesterfield Royal Hospital on Christmas Day after 7 mums gave birth. More...

DON'T TAKE RISKS WHEN WALKING HOME-
As we're all out enjoying the Christmas Spirit, there's a warning that we need to take care whilst walking home. More...

MORE MRSA SCREENINGS THAN EVER BEFORE AT ROYAL -
The Chesterfield Royal Hospital has announced today that it has extended its MRSA screening programme to include emergency patients. More...

ROYAL GETS DIGITAL TONIC -
Chesterfield Royal Hospital is appealing for friends today. It's become one of the first trusts in the UK to set up a facebook profile More...

GIVE BLOOD, GIVE LIFE -
As Christmas approaches, the NHS Blood Transfusion Service is asking people in Chesterfield to think about giving one free but valuable gift this Christmas and donate a pint of blood. More...

NEW ERA FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH AS NEW UNIT OPENS -
A ground breaking Woman's Health Unit has opened today at the Chesterfield Royal and hopes to change the way the hospital provides gynaecology nursing and medical care. More...

HOSPITAL MAKE CONTINGENCY PLANS AHEAD OF WINTER -
Although it’s only just November, Chesterfield Royal say they are already seeing a rise in admissions due to "winter illnesses" More...

YOUR HOSPITAL NEEDS YOU! -
North Derbyshire's patients are being asked to tell Chesterfield Royal how it can improve it's services. More...