Virus forces RUH to shut two wards

Two wards have been temporarily closed at the Royal United Hospital in Bath due to the number of coronavirus patients, the hospital has confirmed.

A whistleblower, who claimed to be a hospital employee, first contacted Bath Live on Thursday, December 3, with news of the closure.

Dr Bernie Marden, the hospital’s medical director, said that the RUH was “very busy”, due to “winter respiratory illnesses, a high demand for our A&E services, staff sickness and a significant increase in the number of Covid-19 patients”.

He said: “Coronavirus infection has meant the temporary closure to new inpatients of two wards, in line with our standard infection control and patient safety practice.

“We have taken steps to minimise the impact and prevent further spread of the virus, including staff and patient testing, strict hygiene precautions and social distancing.

“We always have plans in place to help us manage peaks in demand and capacity at any time of year.

“We are managing the issues we face and it is our priority to maintain high standards of care and safety and to enable other parts of the hospital to operate safely as normal.”

Visiting at the hospital was suspended on November 26 following a rise in coronavirus cases across the South West.

Dr Marden said: “While the RUH remains open for patients as usual, visiting has been suspended, with some exceptions, to help protect patients and staff and prevent the spread of infection.”

He added that the hospital was working with the ambulance service and other hospital trusts to reduce patient delays and numbers and that outpatient appointments were still taking place.