LATEST: BGH visiting advice

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

In order to help us minimise the impact of a potential norovirus outbreak, we continue to ask relatives and carers to carefully consider their visits to the hospital this weekend. The general advice is to stay away from any hospital ward if you or anyone in your family has experienced symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting in the past 48 hours.

Evelyn Rodger, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Acute Services says: “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.

“Action by patients, visitors and staff can help support us to deliver safe patient care and minimise the impact of a potential norovirus outbreak, and we are urging visitors to comply with any instructions you are given by staff or you see on signs at the entrances to wards. This is vital to protect yourselves and your loved ones from catching this unpleasant virus, particularly as your friends or family members currently in hospital may be more vulnerable to the virus than usual.

“Thank you for your cooperation.”