Moray hospital outbreak sees NHS Grampian extend visiting restrictions at Dr Gray’s Hospital

Visiting restrictions at Dr Gray’s Hospital have been extended, as cases of diarrhoea and vomiting continue to spread.

NHS Grampian confirmed that non-essential visiting at Moray’s main hospital remains suspended, amid a norovirus outbreak.

Only visitors for patients in specific circumstances will be permitted, according to health board staff.

This includes patients with dementia, a learning disability, those with caring responsibilities or when a person is receiving “life-changing information”.

Visitors will also continue to be permitted to access the hospital to see their loved ones if they are parents of a child in hospital, or if they are accessing support during pregnancy and childbirth.

However, NHS Grampian added that any essential visitor - or anyone with a planned appointment - should not attend if they have any symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting.

The rules around the“extremely contagious” illnesses apply to any hospital or care setting, the spokesperson added. These illnesses are extremely contagious

and can have a serious impact on people with lowered immune systems. In addition, please observe any notices advising areas or thoroughfares are closed.

Helen Chisholm, lead nurse at Dr Gray’s Hospital, said: “I know how much patients and their friends and relatives value hospital visits. The current restrictions on visiting are for the safety of all involved. Our ward teams are doing their utmost to support

virtual visiting, and we will return to our usual visiting arrangements as soon as we can.

“I want to thank the public for their cooperation and understanding. I also want to praise all the teams working in the hospital for the incredible amount of work they are doing to maintain patient care, as we manage this situation.”

Professor Duff Bruce, medical director at Dr Gray’s Hospital added: “Norovirus, and similar illnesses, are very common, especially at this time of year. While unpleasant, most people will recover within a few days. Anyone suffering from diarrhoea and/or vomiting

should stay at home, and only return to work, school, or college when they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.

“Alcohol hand gels aren’t effective against norovirus. Thorough handwashing with water and soap, along with regular cleaning of hard surfaces in the home with disinfectant, will aid prevention. If you, or someone in your home, is unwell, do not share flannels

or towels with them. Contaminated bedding should be washed separately, on a hot cycle, to kill off the virus.

“There is no treatment for norovirus and antibiotics will not work. You should drink more than usual to replace lost fluids and get as much rest as possible. There’s more advice on the NHS Inform website, just search ‘norovirus’.”