Dr Gray’s winter vomiting bug cases falling – but visiting restrictions to continue over weekend

Dr Gray’s says the sickness and diarrhoea outbreak is improving but that restrictions on visiting will remain in the place at least over the weekend.

However, the hospital has added that the situation will be reviewed early next week as the number of patients affected is now falling, while staff who have been unwell are gradually returning to work.

Lead nurse at Dr Gray’s Hospital, Helen Chisholm, said: “While we’re obviously very pleased people are recovering, we’re taking a cautious approach with visiting because these illnesses are so contagious and continue to circulate in the community. We will continue to support essential visits to the hospital and enabling virtual visiting for everyone else.”

NHS Grampian announced on Sunday, November 30, that it had closed wards five, six and seven to new admissions after more than 50 people were affected by the outbreak.

Ward eight and the Acute Medical Assessment Unit were then shut on Tuesday.

Professor Duff Bruce, medical director at Dr Gray’s Hospital, added: “There has been a huge effort by our staff teams, along with our health and social care partners, and Scottish Ambulance Service, to maintain business as usual at the hospital during this outbreak.

“I want to publicly state my huge thanks to everyone involved and to extend that to the people of Moray for their patience and understanding.”

Health advice is available on the NHS Inform website by just searching for the term ‘norovirus’, which is the alternative name for the winter vomiting bug. The vast majority of people recover from its symptoms within two or three days.