IT'S been a particularly busy winter at Dorset County Hospital and the pressure has been exacerbated by outbreaks of the ‘winter vomiting bug’ norovirus.

Since the end of November, cumulatively 115 beds at Dorset County Hospital have either been occupied by someone with norovirus-like symptoms, or closed due to infection control requirements.

NHS figures come from daily counts and also show that for the week January 22 to January 28 this year 105 beds were closed, with 52 of them closed due to infection control requirements – this was the most beds closed in one week since the end of November.

The latest NHS figures show that things are now improving as from January 28 until February 4 no beds were closed.

Emma Hoyle, associate director for infection prevention and control at Dorset County Hospital said: "As a trust we actively train staff in the management of patients with norovirus and norovirus-like symptoms.

"The infection prevention and control team work alongside clinical ward staff to ensure patients are nursed and cared for in the safest environment possible. We monitor all patients in the trust for signs and symptoms of norovirus and ensure that there are suitable isolation facilities available for them at all times.

"If a patient has been exposed to the virus then we will ensure that they are monitored closely in case they become unwell. When this happens we will instigate a quarantine period to reduce the risk to other patients. This winter we have had three wards closed for short periods with confirmed norovirus. In all of these cases the virus was brought into the trust and identified quickly ensuring that the affected patients were isolated in a cubicle and the rest of the ward quarantined accordingly.

"Any patient with sudden onset diarrhoea are managed within a strict protocol until a cause, whether infection or not is determined. These patients are isolated in a cubicle with strict barrier precautions."

Ms Hoyle added: "This winter has been particularly busy at Dorset County Hospital. However, we have are very proud of how the staff have managed from an infection control perspective and we have not seen a particular rise in infections during this period.

"It is key for effective infection control that prudent hand hygiene is adhered to particularly at point of care (at the patient’s bedside). Hand hygiene opportunities are available (sinks and hand gels) throughout the ward areas for this purpose."