Rise in Norovirus patients in Swindon

Like many hospitals across the country, Great Western Hospital is seeing an increase in Norovirus cases, with around 11 patients currently admitted — up from zero two weeks ago.

This surge aligns with the national trend, as the number of hospital beds occupied by Norovirus patients reached a record high last week.

The NHS.uk webpage on norovirus has useful information for the public including symptoms, how to treat it, and how to stop it spreading.

NHS staff have faced one of the most challenging winters it has ever had with huge demand, high bed occupancy and pressure from winter viruses with staff delivering more than 29 million Covid, flu and RSV vaccinations since the start of the rollout in September.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of NHS England, said: “It is concerning to see the number of patients with norovirus hit an all-time high and there is no let up for hospital staff who are working tirelessly to treat more than a thousand patients each day with the horrible bug, on top of other winter viruses.

“To help stop the spread of norovirus, it is important to remember to wash your hands frequently with soap and water and avoid mixing with other people until you have not had symptoms for two days.

“Hospitals continue to run at near capacity, with added pressure from almost one in seven beds taken up by patients who don’t need to be in hospital, and as these pressure continue it is vital that the public continue to use 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies and use NHS 111 – and 111 online – if you need advice and support for other conditions.”

The latest weekly winter data is available on the NHS England website.