Winter sickness shuts more wards

More wards at Bedford Hospital are closed because of an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug, norovirus.

Three wards were closed to new admissions and patient transfers on Monday, when patients showed symptoms of sickness and diarrhoea.

Another three wards have been closed to help stop the spread of infection among patients, visitors, and staff, with one since re-opening.

Advice to those visiting the hospital is to telephone to check arrangements.

Anyone with outpatient or planned appointments should still attend the hospital, unless told otherwise.

Difficult to contain

Harpur, Reginald Hart, Godber, Pilgrim and Whitbread wards are subject to restrictions, Richard Wells ward has been reopened after closing to new admissions at the weekend and Russell ward is set to reopen later after being cleaned.

Hospital staff say the remaining affected wards will continue to be monitored and all wards will be cleaned before being reopened.

Director of nursing and infection prevention and control, Colin Ovington, said: "It is very difficult to contain and prevent norovirus.

"However, we are doing our utmost to stop the bug spreading by taking immediate action to close wards if patients show any symptoms of norovirus."