BOLTON Hospice is closed to new admissions after being hit by the “winter” vomiting sickness.

Patients at the hospice have been struck with norovirus, commonly known as the diarrhoea and vomiting sickness — but the hospice stressed that day services are unaffected.

News that the bug has spread to the hospice comes just days after the Royal Bolton Hospital urged members of the public to stay away if they have or recently had symptoms of the illness.

It is understood “only a couple of people” at the hospice have been affected by the virus. But the hospice is not likely to admit new patients until next week.

A spokesman said: “As a preventive measure Bolton Hospice is not currently admitting any patients to their inpatient unit or discharging, in order to reduce the risk of the norovirus spreading.

“We have implemented our infection control procedures and have been in contact with the Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group community infection control team who have advised a 72-hour virus-clear period before re-admitting, which we anticipate will be the beginning of next week.

“We have increased our out-patient service, our out-of-hours advice line and our hospice at home service in order to address any un-met need. Our day services have not been affected.”

On Tuesday, three wards at the Royal Bolton Hospital were shut to new admissions and three out of the four units at Darley Court intermediate care home were closed to new admissions.

On Wednesday the wards were still closed but two of the tree units at the court were re-opened.

It is understood four private care homes have also been affected after a spike in the number of cases of norovirus across Greater Manchester since Easter.

Relatives of people in affected care homes will be advised by bosses running those facilities.

Bolton’s Infection Control service, which is based at the hospital, would not release the names of the care homes affected.

Andy Ennis, chief operating officer at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust. said: “There has been a rise in the number of cases of norovirus across Greater Manchester since Easter and we are keen to avoid it spreading further.

“The illness is largely spread by members of the public who either come in with the illness or are visited by others with symptoms.

“In a close community such as a nursing home, hospital or even a ship or school, the illness can spread quite quickly to other people, including staff.
“This can affect the usual running of a hospital or care home as we have to close areas to new admissions where there is norovirus.

“We ask people not to visit with current or recent symptoms and for everyone to wash their hands thoroughly in the sinks on each ward and not just to use the alcohol gel. We will be monitoring the situation carefully and if necessary we may have to restrict all visiting for a period.”