Reports Reveal Visitor Restrictions

Royal Bournemouth Hospital has been forced to put visitor restrictions in place as a number of wards remain affected by an outbreak of norovirus.

Local reports have revealed that all wards are closed to anyone except next-of-kin, while four wards are also not accepting any visitors at all. 

The problems make the hospital one of the latest across the UK to be affected by such an illness outbreak and the reports in the Bournemouth Echo come days after it was revealed that a number of sites in Norfolk have also been affected by such issues.

Also known as the winter vomiting bug, norovirus can have a major impact on people of all ages and in extreme cases leave them facing long-term health problems.

Illness experts at Irwin Mitchell represent those who have contracted norovirus and other serious conditions while in the UK and abroad.

Suki Chhokar, a Partner in the firm’s specialist team, said: “Across the past month or so there have been a number of reports related to norovirus affecting hospitals, which is undoubtedly a major concern.

“It is vital that all of the hospitals which are dealing with outbreaks work quickly to prevent the spread of any illness and ensure that anyone affected is given the care they need to fully recover as quickly as possible.

“The number of outbreaks may mean that current regulations related to the management of such problems are put into the spotlight in coming months and we hope that lessons can be learned which will minimise the likelihood of such outbreaks in the future.”