SEVERAL wards at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon have been closed following outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting. The hospital made the decision to temporarily close wards to patient admissions and visitors on the afternoon of Wednesday (November 21)
SEVERAL wards at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon have been closed following outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting.
The hospital made the decision to temporarily close wards to patient admissions and visitors on the afternoon of Wednesday (November 21).
Wards affected are Oak, Cedar, Beech, Maple, ITU and the Medical Assessment Unit and no inpatient admissions are allowed to wards until the outbreak has passed. There will be no visitors allowed to wards, except where contacted and given permission by staff.
The closures do not affect the maternity unit and mental health wards at Hinchingbrooke or the paediatric unit.
The Huntingdon NHS Treatment Centre will remain open as usual and outpatient appointments will not be affected. Patients brought to Accident and Emergency as emergency cases will be seen.
A spokesman for the hospital said: "The decision to close the wards has been taken by the infection control team in the interests of patient, staff and visitor wellbeing and will be reviewed after 48 hours. Outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis have been noted in the community in recent weeks and the hospital has now been affected."
INFORMATION: Patients with scheduled admissions should call 01480 416056 or 01480 416057 for further information.
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