Visits KO’d as A&E hit by winter vomiting bug
A norovirus outbreak led to a ban on visiting at an emergency care unit at University Hospital Wishaws.
Visiting was suspended last weekend as beleaguered staff attempted to contain the bug.
The emergency care unit at the hospital consists of the integrated accident andemergencyunitanda 36-bed ward.
Infection control and prevention measures were implemented after patients within two shared roomsdeveloped symptoms of the virus, which is also known as the winter vomiting bug.
The hospital has been under extreme pressure in recent months with staff morale suffering as a result.
TheWishaw Press recently revealed that patients were being diverted to Monklands Hospital in Airdrie as Wishaw’sA&Edepartment struggled to cope with increaseddemandandbed shortages. Scotland’s Health Secretary Humza
Yousaf apologised after Central Scotland MSP Meghan Gallacher questioned what support wasbeingprovidedtoNHS Lanarkshire.
The Health Secretary admitted that some patients were not“getting the service or care that they or, indeed, we would expect”.
NHS Lanarkshire was assigned 64 military medics to support its three acute hospitals inWishaw, Airdrie and East Kilbride. Initially they were expected to be in place until November 11, but that was extended to December 17.
Scottish Greens health spokesperson Gillian Mackay also highlighted howprematurebabytwins from Motherwell had to be moved to a hospital in Fife because of staff shortages and a lack of cots at Wishaw’s neonatal unit.
The twins, Hamish and Blair, were recently moved back to University Hospital Wishaw after three weeks in theVictoria Hospital in Kircaldy, where their parents had remained by their side. New guidance was also issued to A&E staff recently in a bid to reduce the numbers waiting to be seen, and the latest outbreak of norovirus will have placed even more strain on the unit.
Janice Miles, interim chief nurse, said: “Restrictions are currently in place in two shared rooms within the emergency care unit at University HospitalWishaw due to suspected Norovirus.
“Visiting has currently been suspended and strict infection prevention and control measures are in place to reduce the spread of any infection and ensure the rooms are back to normal as soon as possible.
“The safety of our patients and staff is paramountandweare taking all necessary action to ensure safe and effective patient care.The situation continues to be monitored.
“To respect and maintain patient confidentiality it is not possible to release any further information at this time.”