• Norovirus outbreak affecting six wards at Royal Bolton Hospital
• People asked to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water
• If you still plan to visit please do everything you can to help minimise spread of norovirus

A norovirus outbreak is affecting six wards at Royal Bolton Hospital with all visitors asked to thoroughly wash their hands to help stop its spread.

The public is being asked to do all it can to help protect patients, staff and other visitors from the virus.

Handwashing facilities are available throughout Royal Bolton Hospital and visitors should wash their hands when entering and exiting wards and other clinical areas.

Lianne Robinson, Deputy Chief Nurse at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

We don’t want to stop people coming in to visit their relatives and loved ones but if you do visit then please do everything you can to help stop the spread of norovirus.

“This can be done by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water, and if you’d like to take extra steps you can ask on our wards for PPE.

Staff on wards will help any patients with the appropriate PPE if they wish to wear it, which could include face masks, aprons and gloves.

People who have had diarrhoea, vomiting or flu-like symptoms in the past 48 hours are asked to avoid visiting Royal Bolton Hospital unless it is an emergency or they have been advised to do so by a healthcare professional.

Lianne added:

To check whether your loved one’s ward is affected before you visit you can call the ward directly, where a member of staff will best advise you.

“Thank you for all your help as we manage this outbreak.

Norovirus is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea, which spreads rapidly in environments such as hospitals, schools, and care homes.

It can spread through close contact with an infected person, by touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them or by consuming food that’s been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus.

Alcohol gel is less effective against norovirus so any visitors are asked to use soap and water to wash their hands.

PPE is available for any visitors who would like to take extra precautions.

Royal Bolton Hospital has 34 wards, with space for an average of 23 patients on each ward.

Contact details for each ward can be found on our ‘contact us’ page.