Kelso Hospital ward closed

Kelso Hospital’s inpatient ward has been closed to new admissions as a precautionary measure as patients experience gastrointestinal symptoms.

The situation is being monitored and managed by NHS Borders Infection Prevention and Control Team with support from frontline colleagues.

Health Protection Scotland (HPS) last week announced that there has been an increase in levels of norovirus (sometimes called the winter vomiting bug) across Scotland. New figures show that NHS Boards are experiencing increased norovirus activity.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Evelyn Rodger, director of nursing, midwifery and acute services said: “In order to safeguard vulnerable patients and enable us to limit the spread of this highly infectious virus, we continue to ask members of the public to carefully consider their visits to community hospitals and the Borders General Hospital, and that anyone who has experienced diarrhoea and vomiting symptoms in the past 48 hours does not visit the hospital.

Dr Ed James, consultant microbiologist added: “Norovirus is one of the most common causes of diarrhoea and vomiting illness. It is very infectious and spreads quickly between people. This is why outbreaks happen in hospitals where a number of people are sharing facilities.

“However it doesn’t just occur in hospitals, and can start abruptly and spread quickly through communities.

“It is vital to protect yourselves and your loved ones from catching this unpleasant virus.

Patients, visitors and staff can help minimise the spread by complying with instructions given by staff and paying attention to the signs at the entrances to the hospital and wards.”