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Hospitals hit by ice and sickness virus
Pictured on Birley Lane, Sheffield.
THE Northern General Hospital in Sheffield has seen a huge increase in admissions because of the icy weather - while medics are also dealing with the pressure of an outbreak of the norovirus vomiting bug.
Doctors have asked people to come to A&E only in a genuine emergency, after 700 patients visited the unit on Monday and Tuesday alone.
A&E staff have seen a 43 per cent increase in emergency admissions for orthopaedic patients, as people were admitted for breaks and sprains due to icy roads and pavements.
And 10 wards are closed to new admissions because of norovirus - seven at the Northern General and three at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.
Richard Parker, deputy chief operating officer at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, said: “The cold weather and an increase in diarrhoea and sickness and flu bugs has meant we have been busier than usual.
“Our staff are working extremely hard and coping with the extra demand but the situation is compounded because we have had to close wards to new patients because of the sickness and diarrhoea bug.
“We have seen a rise in the number of patients with injuries after suffering a slip or fall on icy pavements and we are also admitting more patients with respiratory problems exacerbated by the cold.”
He asked people not to visit if they have had symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea within 72 hours.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 7 comments to this article
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Los Blancos Galactico Rossoneri Mancunian
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:00 PMOh dear another tram crash! Trams and other traffic do not mix and don't go well together!
Los Blancos Galactico Rossoneri Mancunian
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:49 PMnose to tail bumper to bumper! They are an accident waiting to happen!
Los Blancos Galactico Rossoneri Mancunian
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:38 PMIn the picture are arrogant, selfish, ignorant, careless mindless motorists blocking tram tracks! They don't deserved to have a driving licence!
caz62
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 07:48 PMWe need to bring back the old fashioned Matrons, there was none of this when they were in charge - and stop people sitting on the beds!!!!
caz62
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 07:45 PMBring back the old fashioned Matrons,there was none of this when they were in charge.
doubtful
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 06:45 PMI would like to put "handsworth" forward for the job. All those in favour please add your vote. Maybe you could bring in similar rules for bus journeys ? Please ?
handsworth
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:45 AMA complete waste of print Unless and until you get someone in charge of the wards someone who can really exert authority someone who can stick to visiting hours someone who can stick to two to a bed and even less if the patient is not up to it someone who can refuse to allow people to visit if they are coughiong and sneezing you will not until then get illness visitor free wards And to conclude make people use the antiseptic it is not there for fun
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