Hospitals Cancel Non-Urgent Operations Because of Bug

A group of Midlands hospitals have had to cancel all their non- urgent operations because of what they call "unrelenting pressure" from a wave of cases of the highly contagious stomach bug Norovirus.

More than 40 operations had to be cancelled at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital and Kidderminster Hospital.

And the trust said operations would be put off until Wednesday at the earliest.

Cases of Norovirus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, have doubled nationwide in the past year, and doctors estimate that up to 100,000 people a week are contracting it.

A spokesman for the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce said absenteeism numbers had been up in the last week but it was not clear if it was due to Norovirus or if people had been "throwing sickies" to get time off over the festive period.

Hospitals across the country had to react quickly as they came under pressure from the high number of people picking up the virus, which usually causes outbreaks in crowded places.

Kidderminster Hospital, said a number of factors had contributed to its decision to suspend operations, including a build-up of Norovirus cases before Christmas.

Chief executive John Rostill said: "We are admitting patients requiring a high degree of care – it is not just the number of patients but the fact that they are very ill. A further complication is the high number of diarrhoea and vomiting cases being admitted, which is reducing the number of beds available both within the acute trust and community hospitals.

Heart of England NHS Trust said it had to move patients out of six areas of its hospitals in east Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield after they contracted the virus.

WHAT IS THE NOROVIRUS?

Norovirus is the most common cause of infectious gastroenteritis in England and Wales.

The virus is easily transmitted by contact with an infected person, by consuming contaminated food or water or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.

According to the HPA, symptoms will begin around 12 to 48 hours after becoming infected and will usually last 12 to 60 hours.

Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. General lethargy, weakness, muscle aches, headache, and low-grade fever may occur. Most people make a full recovery within one or two days. There is no specific treatment for the virus, and sufferers are advised to avoid hospitals and doctors unless absolutely necessary to avoid passing on the illness.

They should also avoid preparing food or direct contact with others for at least 48 hours after recovery.

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