Lewisham Hospital re-admits visitors after virus closure

Lewisham Hospital Pic: Juan Luis Passarelli

Lewisham Hospital has re-opened to visitors today after the recent Norovirus outbreak forced the hospital to shut its doors to outsiders before Christmas.

Visiting restrictions were put in place on December 17 to restrict the spread of the winter vomiting bug and protect patients and staff.

A statement by Lewisham Hospital said: “We ask that members of the public do not visit the hospital if they have had any symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting in the last three days.”

“Should there be a rise in patients suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting we will consider reinstating the visiting restrictions.”

Claire Champion, Director of Operations and Nursing at Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust added: “We would like to thank everyone who has cooperated with this restriction. We recognize the value of visiting to our patients and so the decision to restrict visitors was not taken lightly.  However, we believe that acting quickly has enabled us to restrict the spread of the bug within the hospital and help protect our patients, visitors and staff.”

Although the virus is highly contagious, it is not generally dangerous, with most people making a full recovery within a couple of days.

The NHS recommends that people who are suffering from the winter vomiting bug should stay at home, drink plenty of fluids and practice good hygiene to prevent the virus from spreading.

Contact your GP to seek advice if your symptoms persist.

For more information on Norovirus visit: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Norovirus/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Leave a Reply