Winter vomiting disease alert at Rotherham Hospital

George Thomson, executive medical director of the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said:  "Many people just associate Norovirus with the winter but we can see winter vomiting disease at other times of the year as well.

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In order to help us to effectively contain and control the virus, we ask that if it is essential for people to visit the hospital, then our good visitor guide and infection prevention guidelines be followed.  

“These include strictly no more than two visitors per bed; visitors not sitting on patient beds; visitors washing their hands with soap and water and alcohol gel and visitors refraining from visiting if they currently have or have had symptoms or have been in contact with a symptomatic person within the last 7 days.  

“We would also encourage visitors not to bring children as they can be more susceptible to catching the bug.”

"We would like to thank residents of Rotherham and the surrounding areas for not bringing further cases of Norovirus into the Trust which is helping to keep our other patients and staff safe."

\Anyone who is thinks they may have the Norovirus  is advised to  stay at home and use the symptom checker on the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk/nhsdirect

If symptoms worsen or persist for more than 48 hours, if you are a senior citizen or have a long-term condition making you particularly vulnerable to infection, you can contact your family doctor or take advice from NHS Direct on 0845 4647.