Hon Tariana Turia
MP for Te Tai Hauauru

 1 May 2009

Media Statement

Hospital commended for handling virus

Tariana Turia has applauded the Whanganui Hospital for the way it has handled containment of the norovirus.

“Management and front-line staff at the hospital must be commended for their work – it’s not the norm for our public health services to be dealing with such dilemmas,” Mrs Turia said.

“Thanks must also be extended to friends and relatives by agreeing to limit visits to their next of kin at the hospital.

While there had not been any more confirmed cases of norovirus at the hospital in the past 48 hours, Mrs Turia encouraged it to maintain the enhanced hand washing and drying strategies it introduced immediately after identifying the norovirus threat.

“It appears the hospital is on the road to recovery but with winter approaching, it would be good for the hospital to maintain its hand washing strategy as it’s the best way to stop the spread of disease.”

In the past week, since the norovirus had been identified, 17 staff and 15 patients were affected and isolated in the surgical ward while a small number of cases had been reported in local rest homes.

 
ends

© Scoop Media