Addenbrooke's Hospital

ADDENBROOKE’S Hospital in Cambridge is recovering from an outbreak of the norovirus.

The virulent sickness and diarrhoea bug swept through the hospital almost a fortnight ago, affecting up to eight wards at its peak last week.

Yesterday just one ward remained closed to visitors in a bid to stop the infection in its tracks, with a further two wards having isolated bays where patients were suffering symptoms of the bug.

Health bosses admitted the hospital was under “intense pressure” last week as a result of the infection, with staff having to cancel and rearrange dozens of non-emergency operations.

But while 10 operations were postponed on Tuesday, the hospital did not need to cancel any yesterday, signalling a corner had been turned.

In addition to having to deal with the norovirus outbreak this week, staff said they have been struggling for bed space due to a total of 51 patients deemed medically fit for discharge not having a care package in place in order for them to leave 
the hospital.

While not all these patients live in Cambridgeshire, hospital bosses said they were working closely with NHS Cambridgeshire and social services to ensure patients living in the county are offered the care they need.

Visiting restrictions are still in place at Addenbrooke’s in a bid to rid the hospital of the norovirus bug.

Visiting times to all adult wards are 3pm to 5pm and 7pm to 8pm, with two adult visitors per patient allowed.

Children are not allowed onto wards except in special 
circumstances.

Those planning to visit a friend or relative in hospital are asked to ring 01223 245151 to check if a ward is affected before arriving at the hospital.

A spokesman for Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are managing the current cases of norovirus with the help of the public, who are following our advice to stay away if they have had sickness or diarrhoea in the last 48 hours.

“We would also remind 
people to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water to help prevent the spread of the illness.”