An NHS Trust has announced a state of emergency due to a norovirus outbreak at one of its hospitals, which has now reached its second week. East Surrey Hospital in Redhill has imposed temporary visitation restrictions across all wards in response to the ongoing norovirus outbreak. The Surrey & Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH) has reported elevated levels of norovirus cases and a significant surge in demand for emergency care services at the hospital.
Norovirus, commonly known as the “stomach bug” or winter vomiting disease, is a highly contagious virus that causes severe symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. The virus spreads quickly through contaminated food, water, surfaces, or direct contact with infected individuals, with symptoms typically appearing suddenly within 12-48 hours of exposure.
Recently, multiple wards at East Surrey Hospital were closed, and the public was advised by SASH to refrain from visiting if they had experienced diarrhea or vomiting in the last 48 hours. The Trust has implemented temporary visiting restrictions for all wards at the 744-bed hospital until further notice, with exceptions made for patients in end-of-life care, maternity and pediatric wards, and the Emergency Department (ED).
As a precautionary measure, SASH has urged the public to only visit the ED for serious or life-threatening conditions or medical emergencies. Some non-urgent appointments may need to be rescheduled to prioritize patients with urgent medical needs.
Dr. Ed Cetti, Chief Medical Officer for Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, addressed the critical situation by stating that due to the persistent high levels of norovirus cases, increased demand in the Emergency Department, and challenges in patient movement to comply with infection control measures, the Trust has declared a Critical Incident. The temporary visiting restrictions at East Surrey Hospital will continue until further notice to minimize the risk of further spread and ensure patient safety.
In alignment with enhanced infection prevention measures, the public is advised not to visit the hospital if they have had diarrhea or vomiting in the past 48 hours. The Trust is continuously monitoring the situation and will lift the restrictions when feasible. Additional information on visiting guidelines and local urgent care options can be found on their website.
Visitors to East Surrey Hospital are required to adhere to extra infection control measures, including practicing proper hand hygiene, limiting movement within the facility, and wearing masks in affected clinical areas.
