Labour call for action on winter vomiting bug

Jackie Baillie

Labour’s Jackie Baillie has expressed deep concern at the increase in the number of wards closed as a result of norovirus from 25 to 32 in the past week, according to figures published by Health Protection Scotland.

Ms Baillie was prompted to comment after reports that a ward at Ninewells Hospital, which was criticised over a fatal outbreak of Clostridium difficile, has now been closed due to an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.

Across Scotland, nine Health Boards have been forced to close wards as a result of winter vomiting sickness. 223 patients and 45 staff have been affected. The worst hit area is NHS Forth Valley, where 6 wards are closed.

Shadow Health Secretary Jackie Baillie told Hebrides news Today:

“I am very concerned that a ward at Ninewells Hospital, which has already experienced an outbreak of C. difficile, is now closed because of norovirus. Ministers need to start taking hospital infections much more seriously.

“There is a growing realization that norovirus can be fatal for those with underlying health problems and the conditions that allow this bug to flourish also leave us exposed to other infections.

“Across Scotland, the number of wards closed as a result of the winter vomiting bug has increased in the past week. This is a worrying trend and I am calling on ministers to create a National Reference Laboratory that will help us keep track of the bug.

“A more proactive stance on fighting infection is in everybody’s interests. The NHS has already been under pressure in recent weeks because of the bad weather and ward closures are the last thing we need.”