Are your children protected against the flu?

Inhaler technique

New pallitative care service

Action for blind people

South Wales Programme

Keeping people well @home

Merthyr Tydfil Rotary Club

Zero tolerance to violence

What is norovirus

November 2013

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We are a no smoking Health Board

Please dont smoke at any of

our hospitals

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For the latest information about healthcare associat-ed infections in Cwm Taf Health Board click here.

For the latest information about mortality data in Cwm Taf Health Board click here.

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6 - 7

8 - 10

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12 - 13

14 - 15

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Protecting children against flu

Getting the most out of your inhaler

Palliative care patients to benefit from new GP role

Are you partially sighted or blind?

The south Wales Programme

@home services celebrates its first birthday

Rotarians roll up their sleeves for good cause

CONTENTS

18 - 19

20 - 21

convictions for violence and agression against NHS staff

Your guide to keeping norovirus at bay

Dr Ruth Hussey, Wales’s Chief Medical Officer, explains future plans for an annual programme to immunise all children in Wales against flu

This year sees the start of a new, annual programme aimed at protecting our children in Wales against the dangers of flu, as well as reducing the spread of flu in the community.

Previous years have seen broadly successful campaigns to immunise those aged 65 and over, as well as pregnant women and people (including

children) suffering from certain long term underlying medical conditions. The rationale is to protect vulnerable individuals and those who are most at risk of serious complications of flu. Each year, a safe vaccine (the ‘flu jab’) is available free of charge to these groups via GPs and some community pharmacies.

Now this year, for the first time, a flu nasal spray vaccine is being offered to all children who were

two or three

years old on

1st

September and school

year 7 pupils. The younger children will have the spray in their GP practice and

Year 7 children will be getting

their nasal spray vaccines in school.

The next few years will then see the nasal spray vaccine

programme extended to

cover all children from 2 to 16 years. Our hope

is that over time, as well as protecting

the children themselves, the programme will also help greatly reduce the spread of flu in peak periods during the winter months, usually between October and March. Meanwhile, we want to emphasise the importance of getting protected early before flu starts to circulate – in other words, beat flu before it beats you!

For most healthy children, influenza (or ‘the flu’) is

New plans for nasal spray vaccine to protect children in Wales against flu

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usually a relatively minor, illness although it is just as unpleasant for children as adults. It also usually means a few miserable days off school, which is inevitably disruptive to study and family life.

However, parents should be aware that flu can sometimes result in serious complications, especially for those with long term health problems for whom it can even be life threatening.

The nasal spray is simple, safe and takes effect quickly, so even if a child gets a runny nose or sneezes immediately after the spray, they should still be protected. Any children in this year’s target groups who, for various reasons, are unable to receive the nasal spray can be offered a flu injection instead.

Each year sees a new vaccine developed because the flu vaccine is changed to match any new circulating strains of the flu virus,. The flu virus is spread via droplets which are sprayed into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Direct contact with contaminated hands or surfaces can also spread infection. It can spread rapidly, especially in closed communities such as hospitals, residential homes and, of course, schools. Focusing on preventative health and flu vaccines this winter is also one measure to reduce pressure on local health services (including A&E hospital departments) that inevitably become even more overstretched when flu strikes and spreads.

Ruth Hussey, Wales’s Chief Medical Officer

At risk groups should get their free flu vaccine to beat flu this year

‘At risk’ groups are those of all ages with chronic respiratory disease such as asthma requiring regular medication, and chronic heart conditions including angina and heart failure. Also those suffering from diabetes, kidney and liver problems; neurological disorders (such as stroke sufferers) or those with weakened immune systems due to disease or treatment for cancer or conditions such as severe rheumatoid arthritis.

‘At risk’ groups include children suffering from similar long term health conditions. All children with these conditions should be vaccinated against flu every winter from the age of 6 months.

The above list is not exhaustive so, if in doubt,

patients with underlying health issues should

check eligibility with their GP practices or health professionals.

As well as free flu vaccines, other people not covered by the NHS’s ‘at risk’ criteria can still get a ‘flu jab’ at pharmacies and via GPs at a small cost. Some employers also offer workplace vaccine programmes.

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Soft & gentleor

HARD & FAST

Do you know which technique you should use to get the most out of your inhaler?

What’s your technique: Hard and fast, or soft and gentle?

Do you use an inhaler for a lung problem? Not sure if you’re getting the most out of it?

Then come and get your inhaler technique checked out at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital on

Wednesday, 20 November - ‘World COPD Day’.

1 in 5 people in Wales are affected by lung disease. Two common conditions, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma, were responsible for almost 11,000 emergency admissions in Wales last year.

Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf have some of the highest incidence of lung disease in Europe, and consistently come top of the league in Wales when it comes to being admitted to hospital with a respiratory illness.

To try and tackle the problem and

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improve outcomes for people with poor lung health, Cwm Taf Health Board have teamed up with GSK to offer inhaler technique training to GP practices across the area. The project is being supported by the British Lung Foundation Wales.

To mark the launch of the project, on World COPD Day (Wednesday 20th November), people across the Cwm Taf area are being invited to attend a free event at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital to learn all about the different types of inhalers, and whether they should be using them ‘hard and fast, or soft and gentle’ to get their full benefit. Also in attendance to

offer advice will be Breathe Easy Gilfach Goch, a support group of the British Lung Foundation.

Studies suggest that up to 90% of patients have poor inhaler technique - meaning that they are not getting the right dose of medicine to relieve symptoms and manage their condition.

People with good technique have approximately a four-fold increase in the amount of medicine reaching their lungs compared to those with poor technique. Poor technique also impacts on the health service through the increased costs associated with wasted medicine and hospitalisation.

“Evidence shows that with a poor technique, only around 5% of the medicine in an inhaler actually reaches the lungs. If people feel they aren’t getting the most out of their inhaler, I would encourage them to speak to their GP.”

Derek Cummings, of Pentre, is Treasurer of the local Breathe Easy group in Gilfach Goch. He has had COPD for 25 years, he said:

“When I was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 1987, I was given an inhaler on prescription and sent on my way.

“Unfortunately I wasn’t told that COPD was a progressive disease, nor was I shown how to use the inhaler, just that I had to breathe it in. For years I went on not feeling the benefit of the medication, and only using it at times when I felt breathless.

Looking back it was such a waste, and it was doing next to nothing to improve my condition.

“It wasn’t until one of the practice nurses attended our Breathe Easy group that I was shown how to correctly use it – around two decades later!

“Although my COPD has progressed – such is the nature of the condition - I do now feel much more benefit from the inhalers than I used to, and things like the small spacers that you can use to make it easier to get the proper technique are really helpful.

“My situation isn’t unique, lots of people I’ve spoken to over the

years weren’t shown the proper way to use them. I wonder how many people are out there with lung problems who are getting little benefit from their medication. It’s extremely important that people who have been prescribed an inhaler are shown how to use it correctly.”

Chris Mulholland, Head of British Lung Foundation Wales, said:

“This is a vitally important project and key to help improve Wales’ respiratory health.

“People with lung conditions need to be getting the full benefits from their medication. Evidence shows that with a poor technique, only around 5% of the medicine in an inhaler actually reaches the lungs. If people feel they aren’t getting the most out of their inhaler, I would encourage them to speak to their GP.”

Brian Hawkins, chief pharmacist at Cwm Taf Health board, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with GSK to help teach our patients how to use their inhalers effectively.

“Knowing which technique to use with your inhaler – whether it’s hard and fast or soft and gentle is a simple way to help manage your lung condition.”

Get your inhaler technique checked

out at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital on Wednesday, 20 November - ‘World

COPD Day’

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PATIENTS receiving palliative care will benefit from the services provided by two Macmillan GP facilitators appointed by Cwm Taf Health Board.

They will work closely with GPs and district nurses to ensure better communication between hospital and community services for patients and

with the out of hours

service.

Dr Rachel Lee and Dr Nicola Lewis (pictured), who are both GPs in the Cwm Taf area, have been appointed as the health board’s Macmillan GP facilitators.

Macmillan GP facilitators are key members of the palliative care team and are responsible for enhancing primary healthcare team’s knowledge and skills about cancer and non-

cancer palliative care patients This includes looking after patients at the end of their lives and also supporting the growing number of people who are surviving cancer thanks to improved diagnosis and treatments.

The role also includes raising the profile of palliative care, advance care planning and cancer survivorship and to developing general

practitioners with an interest in palliative care.

Following their appointment in September, they have produced

information packs for out of hours

GPs, which include all the relevant forms needed for end of life care and provides guidance for GPs.

All GP practices have palliative care registers that identify patients

Palliative care patients to benefit from new GP role in Cwm Taf

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requiring supportive, palliative care.

An end of life pathway has been created for GPs to assist with the care of their patients on the palliative care register. This contains all the relevant forms needed for end of life care. The aim of the pathway is to support GPs in enabling patients to die at home if this is their wish.

Dr Nicola Lewis said: “This role has enabled us to work with many different healthcare professionals allowing us to have a positive impact on a number of different aspects of a palliative care patient’s journey. This has included developing

resources and guidance to help GPs to deliver high quality care to patients in their last year of life.”

And Dr Rachel Lee, said: “This has been a very rewarding role, and thanks to the support provided both by Macmillan and the health board we have been able to create strong links with primary and secondary care.

“Our goal is to improve the quality of care provided for patients with cancer and for all patients who are in the last year of their life.”

The pair have also been working with Martin Davies, chief pharmacist at Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda to

develop the Just in Case boxes. These are sealed boxes, which contain standardised injectable medication suitable for common symptoms, such as pain, breathlessness and agitation, which can arise in patients nearing the end of their lives.

The boxes contain sufficient medication for initial symptom control, and possibly for a syringe driver to be started if appropriate.

The boxes are kept in a patient’s home and are available if they suddenly deteriorate out of hours; they help to avoid lengthy

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delays in obtaining essential medication outside ordinary working hours. Martin said: “They improve the access to palliative care medicines and support the provision of care at patient’s homes.

“All GP practices in the Rhondda are now able to prescribe Just in Case boxes. Stage one implementation has gone well and we currently have four patients using the scheme.

“Stage two will take place early in 2014 when the rest of the health board will be included and all patients in the Cwm Taf area will have access to the scheme.”

A website - wIPADS - has been developed by Dr Ian Back, one of Cwm Taf Health Board’s consultants in palliative medicine. This website can be found on www.pallcareinfo.co.uk - the national website for palliative care. Penny Coyle, a Macmillan GP facilitator in Aneurin Bevan Health Board has helped to raise awareness of this site

to all professionals.

Dr Back said: “The health board’s strategy group has developed a working document of our aims and goals that is completely aligned to the delivery plan for end of life care by the Welsh Government.

“There is widespread recognition in healthcare that advance care planning is something that we ought to be promoting and encouraging.

“The development of the website is a positive step forward and also the role of the GP facilitator will help to address these issues.

“Rachel and Nicola are two great individuals and Macmillan has been really impressed with what has been achieved by the health board in a short space of time.”

Susan Morris, general manager for Macmillan Cancer Support in Wales, said: “Macmillan is really pleased to have worked with Cwm Taf Local Health Board to fund two Macmillan GP facilitators

within the health board.

“Their roles will help GPs and practice nurses to support people affected by cancer, including patients who need end of life care, and help to highlight their needs.

“Rachel and Nicola are two of more than 250 Macmillan professionals working in Wales to support people affected by cancer and we can only fund roles like these thanks to the public’s support.”

A pilot for advance care planning (ACP) started in September in five local nursing homes and will run for four months.

The nursing homes have been provided with two forms which record a patient’s wishes and thoughts for the future. The decisions recorded on these forms are not legally binding but should inform any clinical decisions made on behalf of the patient.

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The Action for Blind People will have a mobile bus visiting Ysbyty Cwm Cynon from Tuesday 19th to Thursday 21st November 2013 between 10.00am and 3.00pm in the main car park to offer the public free help, support and advice.

The Action for Blind People is a national charity providing practical help and support to blind and partially sighted people of all ages, whether it financial or practical.

To find out what range of support is available

in your area visit the Action for Blind People’s mobile bus where you can seek advice and support in a comfortable and informal environment.

Visitors to the mobile bus will be greeted with a warm welcome from a member of their fully trained team who can provide useful information about the latest products available to partially sighted or blind people.

You can try the latest

Do you live in the Cynon Valley? Are you partially sighted or blind? Help and advice is at hand.

technology and gadgets for yourself to increase independence such as bank detectors and mobile phones.

If you require any further information contact Action for Blind People on 0207 635 4824.

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T HE analysis of the 61,000-plus responses to the South Wales Pro-gramme consultation has been published, together with the written submis-sions received.

The executive summa-ry and full analysis of the consultation responses, which was carried out by independent company Opinion Research Services (ORS), is available to-gether with the individual written submissions on the South Wales Programme website.

The responses on their own will not determine the outcome of the South Wales Programme consul-tation about the future of consultant-led maternity and neonatal care, inpa-tient children’s services and emergency medicine (A&E) but will provide health boards and commu-nity health councils with further valuable informa-tion to support them in their decision making.

Of the 61,422 respons-es received during the eight-week South Wales Programme consultation, which ran from May 23 to July 19, 2013, there were:• 27,625 questionnaire

responses

• 26,089 copies of stan-dardised submissions (letters and emails) in support of particular options

• 6,367 signatories to seven petitions in sup-port of various options

• 820 responses to the household survey

• 521 written submis-sions.

More than 2,300 people also attended the 50 pub-lic meetings held by the five health boards – Ab-ertawe Bro Morgannwg, Aneurin Bevan, Cardiff and Vale, Cwm Taf and Powys – during the consultation period.

Dr Andrew Goodall, chief executive of Aneurin Bev-an University Health Board and lead chief executive for the South Wales Pro-gramme, said: “We would once again like to thank the public for their involve-ment in the consultation; for taking the time to at-tend public meetings and for submitting such de-tailed responses. This has provided us with a wealth of information.”

The responses show wide-spread understanding and support for the need for change and the majority of the public have expressed

a preference for a five-hos-pital model, although there were differences in opinion about which five hospitals.

The majority of ques-tionnaires returned sup-ported option three – the best-fit option – services to be based at University Hospital of Wales, Car-diff; Morriston Hospital, in Swansea; the Specialist and Critical Care Centre (SCCC), a new hospital to be built near Cwmbran; Prince Charles Hospital, in Merthyr Tydfil and Princess of Wales Hospital, in Brid-gend.

But the majority of the standardised submissions received were in support of option four, which proposes retaining services at UHW; Morriston Hospital; SCCC; Prince Charles Hospital and Royal Glamorgan Hospital, in Llantrisant.

However, some of the written submissions, par-ticularly a number from professional organisa-tions, questioned the me-dium-term sustainability of a five-centre model. The majority preferred a four-hospital model for consultant-led maternity and neonatal care, inpa-tient children’s services and emergency medicine (A&E), while some consid-ered a three-site model as the most sustainable in the long term.

Paul Hollard, programme director for the South Wales Programme, said:

The South Wales ProgrammeSecuring the future of hospital services in South Wales and South Powys

South Wales Programme consultation responses published

page 12

“It is important the public understands the consul-tation responses on their own will not determine the outcome of the South Wales Programme.

“The responses, together with the evidence gathered to support the consulta-tion, the equality impact assessment and further work carried out in re-sponse to issues raised during the consultation, will be used by the health boards and the community health councils to reach a decision.

“The analysis of the 61,000-plus responses to the South Wales Pro-gramme consul-tation carried out by ORS has been shared with board members of the five health boards and the Welsh Am-bulance Services NHS Trust and executive members

of the five commu-nity health coun-cils. We can now

share this same information with the public.”

Dale Hall,

manag-ing di-rector of

ORS, said: “This was a uniquely large and thor-ough consultation exer-cise by the South Wales Programme and health boards. Many residents,

staff, professional bod-ies and other stakehold-ers took part and clearly thought deeply about the issues before giving their insights and wide-ranging opinions on the options before them.”

The five health boards and the five community health councils – Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, Aneurin Bev-an, Cardiff and Vale, Cwm Taf and Brecknock and Radnor – will consider the outcome of the consulta-tion alongside a suite of other information as they make a decision about the future of consultant-led maternity and neonatal care, inpatient children’s services and emergency medicine (A&E).

The consultation responses are available on the South Wales Programme website at www.wales.nhs.uk/swp/post-consultation-docu-

ments and are made up of the following documents:

• The ORS executive summary (this is avail-able bilingually)

• The full analysis of the consultation responses by ORS

• The publication of the written submissions—these are available in batches. Please note that some personal in-formation, which could identify individuals, has been redacted where appropriate.

The South Wales Pro-gramme websites (English and Welsh) also feature new sections—Making a Decision—which describe the full suite of documents and reports which will be available to the health boards and community health councils to support their decision making pro-cesses. Links to these key documents and reports will be posted on this part of the website as and when they become available.

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More than 360 people have benefitted from a new range of community services in their first year.

A range of services developed to help keep people well and independent at home and prevent them being admitted to hospital has celebrated a year of success.

Cwm Taf Health Board invested £1.5m in the @Home

services,

which are part of the drive to move more care, which is traditionally provided in hospitals, into the community and closer to people’s homes.

The @Home services are made up of:

• CIAS – community integrated assessment service – which was launched on October 29

• Community ward

• Community IV therapy

• Reablement

These four services ensure people get the support and extra care they need to stay well at home, rather than being admitted to hospital for long periods of time to undergo tests or receive intravenous medicines, such as antibiotics.

Stephen Harrhy, director of primary, community and mental health, said: “CIAS is an important part of our @Home services and I am pleased that the number of patients using it is increasing”.

Since CIAS was launched 363 patients have been assessed

by the service of which

@Home service celebrates its first birthday

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74% were referred by their GP. The remaining 26% were either referred from A&E or the Welsh Ambulance Service.

The CIAS service has also seen and assessed 247 patients who would have otherwise been admitted to hospital.

In June the CIAS team also launched an outreach service to Nursing Homes to provide additional support to patients who are at risk of being admitted to hospital.

For this group of patients admission to hospital can often result in long lengths of stay and significant disruption to their daily life. In its first three months, 91 patients were

assessed - all of whom would have been admitted had the service not been in place.

The service is also benefiting from new ways of working with the Welsh Ambulance Trust.

Following assessment by an Advanced Paramedic, patients who don’t need to be admitted to hospital can instead be referred to the CIAS team.

Lesley Lewis, Head of Nursing for Rhondda and Taff localities and @Home’s clinical lead, said: “The CIAS team has been extremely innovative in developing this service to meet the needs of patients across the Cwm Taf area.

“We’ve managed to evolve and

continually improve the CIAS service over the last 12 months based on the positive feedback from healthcare professionals, patients and carers.”

The CIAS team consists of:

• Consultants• Specialist doctors• Advanced nurse practi-

tioners• Mental health nurse practi-

tioner• Registered nurses• Physiotherapist• Occupational therapist• Speech and language ther-

apists• Healthcare support workers• Administration support

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Members of the Merthyr Tydfil Rotary Club have taken over the maintenance of the Macmillan Cancer Unit’s garden at Prince Charles Hospital.

The garden, which is used by cancer patients and carers, has been transformed by the Rotarians into a tranquil haven of life and colour.

Staff at the unit approached the Rotary Club for help in the summer because the garden had fallen into disrepair. The club readily agreed

to take on the job as one of its community service projects.

Members who were experienced gardeners went to have a look at the garden and assess what needed to be done. Plants had wilted, the grass had overgrown and weeds were out of control. Even the birds had deserted the feeders!

Soon the members set to work procuring the gardening tools, equipment and materials

needed to do the job.

Every week a small gang of avid gardeners would arrive at the site to scatter grass seed, mow the lawns, revive flower beds and trim edges. Weeds became a thing of the past; bulbs were planted, and hanging baskets replenished.

The well-cared garden is now in full bloom and enjoyed by patients, carers and staff at the unit. Even the birds have returned much to the delight of the patients.

Keith Jones, president of the Merthyr Tydfil Rotary Club said: “It has been a worthwhile and fulfilling project for the club. Everyone has

been so helpful – gardening

tool and implements

Rotarians roll up their sleeves for good cause

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have been donated, along with cash and gardening vouchers.

“Garden centres have sold their wares at discounted prices or free of charge and others have helped with transport to the garden.

“Patients and their carers can now sit in the garden and appreciate the sight and smell of the flowers”.

The avid gardeners are pictured having a well earned rest.

From L to R: Peter Brill, Colin Parker, Jim Payne, Frank Ryder, David Robbins.

In preparation for next year, daffodil bulbs have already been planted and in support of the Rotary Club initiative End Polio Now members have planted a diamond of purple crocuses, which will flower

next spring.

Cathy Barker, Macmillan clinical lead/manager, said: “I would like to thank members of the Rotary Club for all their hard work at making the Macmillan garden look fabulous again.

“We are so proud of our garden. It’s quite a talking point for patients and their carers when they visit the unit.

“We recently had visits by Health Minister Mark Drakeford and also Kirsty Williams, the Welsh Liberal Democrat leader and both were very impressed with the garden and its facilities.”

“I would like to thank members of the Rotary Club for all their hard work at making the Macmillan garden look fabulous again.

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A MAN with hepatitis C who spat in the face of a hospital security guard has been jailed for 18 weeks.

Magistrates told Lee Declan Clare, from Cwmaman, Aberdare, his offence was “so serious” because he was carrying hepatitis C.

The court heard security officers had been called to the emergency care centre at Prince Charles Hospital, in Merthyr Tydfil, on June 5, because Clare, 40, was being abusive to staff.

Clare left the department but, on the way out fell and cut his face. As a doctor and a security officer rushed to his aid he again became abusive and spat in the security officer’s face.

Clare admitted the offence when he appeared before Merthyr Magistrates’ Court on November 1.

Dave Lewis, Cwm Taf

Health Board’s violence and aggression case manager, said: “The security officer spent several very worrying months receiving treatment and support from the health board and Victim Support after this assault while he was waiting for test results.

“Fortunately they showed he had not contracted hepatitis C.“We will take action against anyone who is verbally abusive or physically aggressive towards our staff.

“We will not tolerate such behaviour – it has no place in a healthcare environment.”

More than 170 people have been prosecuted or warned about abusive behaviour towards NHS staff in Cwm Taf in the first six months of 2013.

And a new memorandum of understanding has been signed between the four police forces in Wales, the Crown Prosecution Service and NHS Wales. This will strengthen the zero tolerance approach to violence and aggression towards NHS staff.

A MAN who smashed glass panels in a children’s A&E waiting area has been fined by magistrates.

John Price, of no fixed abode, was ordered to pay £160, and given a 12-month community order by Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court following his violent

Jail for man who spat at security guard

Fine and community service for man who smashed up A&E

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In the first six months of 2013, Cwm Taf Health Board successfully prosecuted a number of people who were violent or aggressive towards NHS staff.

Sentences passed by magistrates’ and crown courts include:

• 12-month communi-ty order for aggres-sive and threatening behaviour

• 12-week prison sen-tence, suspended for 12 months, and a £150 fine for as-sault and aggressive and threatening be-haviour

• Fines of £178 and £142 for verbal abuse towards NHS staff

• Youth rehabilitation order for assault

• Six-month commu-nity order and £245 fine for theft, as-sault and aggressive and threatening be-haviour.

outburst at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, in Llantrisant.

The court heard the 51-year-old, who comes from the Pontypridd area, had suddenly become violent after arriving in the A&E department on October 19.

Price grabbed a metal waste bin and smashed the glass window of a vending machine and then began attacking a glass panel in the children’s A&E waiting area. Fortunately no children were in the department at the time.

He admitted the offenses when he appeared before magistrates on November 6.

Dave Lewis, Cwm Taf Health Board’s violence and aggression case manager, said: “This was a

particularly nasty incident, which could have been so much worse – Price was very fortunate there were no children in the waiting room at the time.“We operate a strict zero tolerance approach to all violent, aggressive and threatening behaviour towards our staff and other patients being treated in our hospitals, clinics and surgeries.

“We will take action against people who abuse those who are there to help them.”

More than 170 people have been prosecuted or warned about abusive behaviour towards NHS staff in Cwm Taf in the first six months of 2013.

And a new memorandum of understanding has been signed between the four police forces in Wales, the Crown Prosecution Service and NHS Wales.

This will strengthen the zero tolerance approach to violence and aggression towards NHS staff.

page 19

What is norovirus?

It’s known by a number of names – norovirus; winter sickness or vomiting bug or more simply as diarrhoea and vomiting or D&V. But whatever its name, it’s an unpleasant, although not usually a serious illness, which can – and unfortu-nately does - wreak hav-oc on our hospitals every year.

You’ll have seen the head-lines as soon as the weath-er starts to get a bit cold-er: “Winter stomach bug closes hospital ward”; or “Visitors told to stay away as winter bug spreads”. Norovirus is a highly-infec-tious illness and it regularly shuts hospital beds, bays and even whole wards as patients and staff fall ill.

It’s never an easy decision to have to shut a hospital ward, especially during the winter months when more people tend to be ill and need to be admitted, but when faced with nor-ovirus – and other similar fast-spreading gastrointes-tinal illnesses – it’s often the only choice we have to contain it and prevent it spreading even further.

When we’re caring for pa-tients with norovirus – and when we know that there’s

norovirus circulating in the community - we ask people to work with us to help us prevent its further spread, which is why you’ll see signs up on the doors to hospital wards and de-partments like A&E and at GP surgeries asking you not to come in if you’ve had symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting in the past 72 hours.

We want to do everything we can to keep norovirus out of our hospitals and away from very sick and vulnerable patients and we need your help to do that.So exactly what is norovi-rus? It’s the most common stomach bug in the UK and it affects people of all ages. There’s no specific cure so you have to let it run its course, but it should not last more than a couple of days – the infectious pe-riod usually lasts between 12 to 48 hours.

Having norovirus can be an unpleasant experience, but it’s not generally dan-gerous and most people make a full recovery within a couple of days, without having to see a doctor.Noroviruses are a group of viruses that are the most common cause of stom-ach bugs (gastroenteritis) in the UK. They are also known as small round

structured viruses or Nor-walk-like viruses.

Between 600,000 and a million people in the UK catch norovirus every year. Although it’s also known as the winter vomiting bug because the illness is more common in winter, it can be caught at any time of the year. As an organisation, we only keep data on out-breaks of norovirus (and suspected norovirus) in our hospitals; we don’t have information about infec-tions in the wider commu-nity. Last year across Cwm Taf Health Board, there were 29 outbreaks of noro-virus; the majority were in the winter months. Further information is available in our Annual Quality State-ment.

What are the symptoms of norovirus?

The first sign of norovi-rus is usually a sudden sick feeling followed by forceful vomiting and watery diarrhoea. Some people will also have a raised temperature (over 38°C/100.4F), headaches, painful stomach cramps and aching limbs.

What should I do if I get norovirus?

There is no cure for norovi-rus but if you do get it you should drink plenty of wa-ter to avoid dehydration. You can take paracetamol to treat any fever or aches

Your guide to keeping norovirus at bay

page 20

and pains. If you feel like eating, eat foods that are easy to digest. Stay at home and don’t go to the doctor because norovirus is contagious and there is nothing the doc-tor can do while you have it. However, contact your GP to seek advice if your symptoms last longer than a few days, if you develop symptoms of severe de-hydration or if you already have a serious illness. Extra care should be tak-en to prevent babies and small children who are vomiting or have diarrhoea from dehydrating, by giv-ing them plenty of fluids. Babies and young children can still drink milk.If you are pregnant and you get norovirus there is no risk to your unborn child.

Norovirus can be spread very easily through contact with an infected person, especially through their hands. You can also catch it through contaminated food or drink or by touch-ing contaminated surfaces or objects.

How can I stop getting norovirus?

The following measures should help prevent the vi-rus from spreading further:Wash your hands frequent-ly.

Do not share towels and flannels. Disinfect any surfaces that

an infected person has touched. Outbreaks in busy places such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools are common because the vi-rus can survive for several days on surfaces or objects touched by an infected person.

If you have norovirus, you may continue to be infec-tious for a short period af-ter symptoms stop, so you should avoid food prepara-tion and direct contact with other people for at least 48 hours after your symptoms have gone.

Getting norovirus cannot always be avoided, but good hygiene can help to limit the virus spreading.NHS Choices and NHS Di-rect Wales recommend the following tips to help stop the virus spreading:

• Wash your hands fre-quently and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing food

• Do not share towels and flannels

• Disinfect any surfaces

or objects that could be contaminated with the virus. It is best to use a bleach-based household cleaner

• Wash any clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated with the virus. Wash the

items separately and on a hot wash to ensure that the virus is killed

• Flush away any infected faeces or vomit in the toilet and clean the sur-rounding toilet area

• Avoid eating raw, un-washed produce and only eat oysters from a reliable source. Oysters have been known to carry norovirus.

• If you have norovirus, avoid direct contact with other people or pre-paring food for others, until at least 48 hours after your symptoms have gone. You may still be contagious, even though you no longer have sickness or diar-rhoea.

• Avoid visiting hospi-tals if you have had the typical symptoms of norovirus in the past 72 hours. Norovirus is more serious and even more easily spread among people who are already ill.

Please help us to stop norovirus spreading in our hospitals this winter.

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