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Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton has put restrictions in place on some wards to manage an outbreak of viral gastroenteritis (norovirus). As at Wednesday 12th November three wards are closed to new admissions: Eliot, Fielding and Ward 5.

Norovirus exists in the community and although not usually serious is very infectious. It is estimated that between 600,000 and 1 million people in the UK are affected each year. Nursing homes, hospitals and schools are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks. The virus can be spread by contact with an infected person or surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus

Musgrove Park has detailed and well established procedures to manage outbreaks such as these to minimise the risk of cross infection. Management of the outbreak is led by our specialist infection control team and other senior staff with ongoing review of the situation.

To help reduce the risk of further norovirus being brought into the hospital visitors are asked not to visit if they have had symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting or have been in contact with anyone who has in the past 48 hours. All visitors are asked to ensure that their hands are thoroughly cleaned before leaving a ward. If you are visiting a ward which has an outbreak of norovirus, please do not visit any other wards. If you are in any doubt about whether to visit or not, please talk to the ward Sister.

Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton is part of Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. The hospital serves a population of 340,000 - primarily living in the area served by NHS South West. Each year almost 40,000 patients are admitted as emergencies; 10,000 patients are admitted for elective surgery; 26,000 are seen for day case surgery; 232,000 patients attend outpatient clinics; 48,000 attend Accident and Emergency, 170,000 diagnostic examinations take place and over 3000 babies are born in the Maternity Department. Almost 1000 patients are admitted to Critical Care each year.

Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has an annual budget of £180 million. The hospital has over 700 beds, 30 wards, 15 operating theatres, a fully equipped diagnostic imaging department and employs 4,145 staff.

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