Media Release

10 November 2008

Taranaki Base Hospital has placed Ward 1 in lock down because of an outbreak of gastroenteritis.

Six patients and one staff member in Ward 1 (Assessment, Treatment & Rehabilitation) have fallen ill with vomiting and/or diarrhoea since Saturday November 8th, which has lead to the precautionary measure of locking down the ward (restricting visitors, not taking new admissions and heightened infection control measures) to prevent any possible spread.

Of the six affected patients, one has been discharged home.  No new admissions to the ward means that some elective surgery may have to be postponed as bed space is limited although this has not happened yet.

Visitors are asked to ring the ward before visiting any patients in Ward 1, and if the visit is essential they will be required to wear appropriate protective clothing. Visitors with any questions can ring the hospital ( 06 753 6139) to talk to a Health Protection Officer for any information.

Patients are being discharged directly to their home from the ward when appropriate but any discharges to rest-homes or transfers to other wards or hospitals will be stopped as a precaution.

Additional cleaning measures have been introduced within the ward and test samples have been sent to the laboratory to try to determine the nature of the outbreak. The results should be available within a week.

Taranaki DHB Hospital Operations Manager Steve Berendsen said infection control procedures were in place: “We are doing everything we can to prevent this illness spreading to anyone else,’ said Mr Berendsen. “We understand this is very difficult for patients and their families who are in Ward 1 but we’d appreciate their cooperation.

“We are also asking members of the public that if they have vomiting or diarrhoea or have visited someone with these symptoms, that they do not visit patients in the hospital until they have been symptom free for at least 48 hours.“

 “We are also reminding the public of the vital importance of good hand hygiene for preventing the spread of this highly contagious illness. That means washing your hands for 20 seconds with warm soapy water and drying them thoroughly with clean towels or paper towels for another 20 seconds”.

The ward staff, Public Health and Infection Control staff are constantly reassessing the situation and taking all steps to safely discharge patients.

For more information please call

Sue Carrington
Media Adviser
P. 021 367 789