Normal visiting hours return to Norovirus-struck hospital

Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital's visiting hours resume following Norovirus outbreak

VISITING hours have returned to normal at the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, following a recent outbreak of Norovirus.

The Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which manages the Basingstoke-based hospital, released a statement yesterday (Thursday) to say that the normal visiting hours - generally between 2pm and 4pm, and 6pm and 8pm - had resumed.

This follows a recent outbreak of ten cases of Norovirus, a contagious virus better known as the winter vomiting bug, since December 29 - with three remaining cases, the hospital today (Friday Jan 20) has confirmed.

The hospital, which experienced a Norovirus outbreak in January last year (2011), has been battling the superbug for the last five years.

An outbreak in March 2010 was the third at the hospital within a five month period, with outbreaks also in 2008 and 2009.

Symptoms, which can last from 12 to 60 hours, include: headaches, feeling sick, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and in some cases a high temperature.

With those with long term illnesses most at risk, It is important for people not to visit hospital not only while experiencing any symptoms, but also for 48 hours after any symptoms of the bug have ceased.

Individual wards at the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital may have restrictions according to the needs of the patients. For more information visit www.hampshirehospitals.nhs.uk