Department of Medicine for the Elderly at the Borders General Hospital closed to admissions

The Department of Medicine for the Elderly (DME) at the Borders General Hospital is currently closed to admissions due to the confirmed presence of norovirus.

One bay in Ward 4 is also closed due to confirmed norovirus. 

The situation is being managed by NHS Borders Infection Prevention and Control Team with support from frontline colleagues.

Visiting DME is strongly discouraged at this time, and the general advice is to stay away from any hospital ward if you or anyone in your family has experienced symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting in the past 48 hours.

NHS Borders’ Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Dr Tim Patterson said: “Norovirus is one of the most common causes of diarrhoea and vomiting illness. It is very infectious, spreads quickly between people and can start abruptly and spread quickly through communities.

“It is vital to protect yourselves and your loved ones from catching this unpleasant virus. Patients, visitors and staff can help minimise the spread by complying with instructions given by staff and paying attention to the signs at the entrances to the hospital and wards.”

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Updated on 21/04/15