Hospitals struck by stomach bug

Two hospitals have been struck by the bug

Two hospitals in Belfast have been struck by a virus that causes vomiting and diahorrea.

The problem is caused by a virus nicknamed the winter vomiting disease. It affects the entire community, not only hospitals.

Two wards were closed to admissions for two days at the City Hospital where at least 20 patients fell ill.

A smaller number of people in the Royal were also affected. The problem started nearly three weeks ago.

Dr Tony Stevens, medical director of the Belfast trust, said the virus was highly infectious.

"We've had to close beds, but this is to protect our patients and our staff," Dr Stevens said.

"If somebody is admitted with this condition or develops it after they're admitted, we obviously have to close beds close to that patient or put the patient in a side room or sometimes put all the patients with vomiting and diahorrea together.

"But obviously that limits our flexibility in the use of our beds. We also need time to clean the ward or the beds after the patients are discharged or when they recover."

However, he said that although the illness is very unpleasant, the virus is not dangerous and people usually recover within 48 hours.

Patricia McKeown, of health union Unison, said more staff are needed to help prevent the spread of bugs in hospitals.

"We don't have the people, we don't have the resources, we haven't got the training in there and we don't have the capacity to respond," she said.

"We have far too many people occupying hospital beds at the one time and that's an absolute prime cause for the spread of the virus."