Visiting restrictions relaxed at Hinchingbrooke Hospital

RESTRICTIONS on visiting at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon have been relaxed following outbreaks last week of the winter vomiting virus. Pear Tree Ward and Laurel Ward remain closed due to suspected Norovirus and visiting remains suspended on thes

RESTRICTIONS on visiting at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon have been relaxed following outbreaks last week of the winter vomiting virus.

Pear Tree Ward and Laurel Ward remain closed due to suspected Norovirus and visiting remains suspended on these wards.

But a statement released by the hospital on Friday afternoon (March 26) said limited visiting could resume on wards that are clear of the infection, allowing one visitor per patient per day until further notice.

Liz Pointing, director of nursing midwifery and operations at Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust, said: "I would like to thank our local community for their assistance at this time. Norovirus is extremely infectious and the closure of wards can cause severe disruption to a hospital of our size.

"We had reason to believe that the latest outbreak may have been caused by somebody visiting the wards, perhaps to see a relative or friend, while suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting.

"We continue to ask visitors to consider the safety of our patients and staff and to not come to the trust if they have had any symptoms in the previous 48 hours.