Menu
20/08/2002
City wards closed to contain virus outbreak
Belfast City Hospital has had to close four wards today in order to contain a viral outbreak.
Up to 30 patients and an unknown number of staff have come down with a severe stomach illness.
The hospital trust have moved to reassure patients that the closure of two medical wards and two surgical wards would not interfere with operations. However, with waiting lists already strained the ward closures will clearly have an impact on the availability of beds.
Medical director Dr Ken Fullerton said that capacity in Belfast is limited and there are pressures throughout the year over and above this latest outbreak.
"We have asked patients who have been booked to come in to contact the wards just to confirm. We have made arrangements with patients who were due to be admitted to those wards and have urgent need to be admitted elsewhere in the hospital," he said.
"However, we have been in close contact with the department, with the local health board and with all of our neighbouring hospitals.
"They have been helping us out in this difficult situation and as a result of that our A&E department so far has been able to cope very well with the influx of emergency cases."
Victims of the illness, caused by the Small Round Structured Virus (SRSV), can suffer symptoms over several days.
(GMcG)
Up to 30 patients and an unknown number of staff have come down with a severe stomach illness.
The hospital trust have moved to reassure patients that the closure of two medical wards and two surgical wards would not interfere with operations. However, with waiting lists already strained the ward closures will clearly have an impact on the availability of beds.
Medical director Dr Ken Fullerton said that capacity in Belfast is limited and there are pressures throughout the year over and above this latest outbreak.
"We have asked patients who have been booked to come in to contact the wards just to confirm. We have made arrangements with patients who were due to be admitted to those wards and have urgent need to be admitted elsewhere in the hospital," he said.
"However, we have been in close contact with the department, with the local health board and with all of our neighbouring hospitals.
"They have been helping us out in this difficult situation and as a result of that our A&E department so far has been able to cope very well with the influx of emergency cases."
Victims of the illness, caused by the Small Round Structured Virus (SRSV), can suffer symptoms over several days.
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 December 2016
Hospital Wards And Hotel Closed Following Norovirus Outbreak
Six hospital wards and a hotel have been closed following an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug, the Norovirus. Five wards at Altnagelvin Hospital and one ward at the Waterside Hospital have been temporarily closed to new admissions following confirmation of the outbreak.
Hospital Wards And Hotel Closed Following Norovirus Outbreak
Six hospital wards and a hotel have been closed following an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug, the Norovirus. Five wards at Altnagelvin Hospital and one ward at the Waterside Hospital have been temporarily closed to new admissions following confirmation of the outbreak.
16 October 2012
Hygiene Testing Failed For Five NI Hospitals
Eleven wards in total in five hospitals have required a further inspection into Hygiene and infection by the Regulation and Quality improvement Authority. The five hospitals involved were The Royal Victoria and City Hospital which are both located in Belfast. The Ulster in Dundonald, The Altnagelvin in Derry and the Craigavon Area Hospital.
Hygiene Testing Failed For Five NI Hospitals
Eleven wards in total in five hospitals have required a further inspection into Hygiene and infection by the Regulation and Quality improvement Authority. The five hospitals involved were The Royal Victoria and City Hospital which are both located in Belfast. The Ulster in Dundonald, The Altnagelvin in Derry and the Craigavon Area Hospital.
04 November 2021
New £115million Acute Services Block Opens At Ulster Hospital
The first phase of the new £115million Acute Services Block (ASB) at Ulster Hospital in Dundonald has been officially opened by Health Minister Robin Swann. Following a tour of the new facilities Minister Swann said: "Today marks another major achievement for the hospital and the South Eastern Trust.
New £115million Acute Services Block Opens At Ulster Hospital
The first phase of the new £115million Acute Services Block (ASB) at Ulster Hospital in Dundonald has been officially opened by Health Minister Robin Swann. Following a tour of the new facilities Minister Swann said: "Today marks another major achievement for the hospital and the South Eastern Trust.
16 March 2009
Bug Shuts 'Ulster' Wards
A virus that causes vomiting and diarrhoea has caused the closure of several wards at a hospital in east Belfast. Four wards at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald have been closed to new admissions after an outbreak of a winter vomiting bug.
Bug Shuts 'Ulster' Wards
A virus that causes vomiting and diarrhoea has caused the closure of several wards at a hospital in east Belfast. Four wards at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald have been closed to new admissions after an outbreak of a winter vomiting bug.
08 January 2002
Virus closes hospital beds across province
Hospitals in Northern Ireland are struggling to deal with the effects of a common virus which has left people waiting on trollies for beds and caused a severe backlog in surgery. The virus, which affects patients and staff, comes as hospitals throughout the province struggle to cope with an increased number of patients because of winter illnesses.
Virus closes hospital beds across province
Hospitals in Northern Ireland are struggling to deal with the effects of a common virus which has left people waiting on trollies for beds and caused a severe backlog in surgery. The virus, which affects patients and staff, comes as hospitals throughout the province struggle to cope with an increased number of patients because of winter illnesses.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
