Hereford County and Ross Hospital ward closures and Emergency Department busy

Wye Valley NHS Trust is advising people that they could face long waits in the County Hospital’s Emergency Department following a busy few days and closures of some hospital wards due to Norovirus.

The advice being given by the Trust is to use alternative NHS services including local pharmacies for advice for minor ailments, telephoning NHS 111, or see their local GP - if their condition or injury is not serious.

Redbrook, Wye and Kenwater wards at Hereford County Hospital and the two wards at Ross Community Hospital remain closed to visitors due to cases of diarrhoea and vomiting due Norovirus, and the Minor Injury Unit at Ross Community Hospital is now temporarily closed. 

Jon Barnes, chief operating officer at Wye Valley NHS Trust, said: “Our Emergency Department (ED) continues to be busy and we would urge people to think twice and use the NHS alternatives available.

“We also have ward closures due to Norovirus on Redbrook, Wye and Kenwater wards at Hereford County Hospital, and Ross Community Hospital wards are closed to visitors.

“In addition to this, we have made the decision today, November 7, to temporarily close the Minor Injury Unit at Ross Community Hospital, to support patient care in the Emergency Department.  Outpatient clinics continue to run as normal.

“At this moment in time, the Emergency Department at Hereford County Hospital is only for people who are seriously ill and need urgent care and treatment.  You should only attend ED if it’s serious or life threatening.  Our staff will continue to see and treat patients as quickly as possible, based on their clinical need”. 

Alison Johnson, consultant microbiologist at Wye Valley NHS Trust, added: “If you have diarrhoea and/or vomiting please do not attend appointments or visit any local hospital until you have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.

“We ask that you only come to the hospital if you really need to. Particularly young children and vulnerable elderly visitors. 

“To help prevent Norovirus spreading wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, particularly after using the toilet, disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated with a norovirus (use a bleach-based household cleaner), flush away any infected faeces or vomit in the toilet and keep the surrounding toilet area clean and hygienic, and wash any clothing, or linens, which could have become contaminated with a norovirus, in hot soapy water. 

“It is important to stay away from work, school, college or any social gatherings until you have been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours”.

The Trust is working with the West Midlands Ambulance Service and the commissioners for healthcare in the county, the Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, to manage the situation.