Over two dozen patients and 17 staff have fallen ill with norovirus at Arrowe Park Hospital, as the so-called winter vomiting bug causes major problems at the hospital.

The virus was first detected at the hospital early last week and staff have been working to contain the problem ever since.

Yesterday, Paul Moore, acting chief nurse at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said just a “small number” of staff are affected.

But today, Janelle Holmes, chief executive of Wirral University Teaching Hospital, who run Arrowe Park Hospital, was able to confirm the exact figures.

One patient at the hospital, who wished to remain anonymous, said sickness has had a significant impact on staffing since the norovirus outbreak.

The patient also said she has been moved to a room away from wards which have had infections.

She added that the hospital seemed to be considering moving infected patients onto one ward – a form of quarantine.

But she was keen to praise staff at the hospital for their “valiant efforts” to manage the situation.

The NHS trust which runs Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral University Teaching Hospital, did not comment on this.

But one step hospital staff have taken to control the norovirus is to discourage Christmas decorations in wards.

Ms Holmes said: “Norovirus continues to circulate in the community. There have been 25 confirmed patient cases on our wards and 17 staff have been affected.

“As norovirus can live on surfaces for up to two weeks, as an extra precaution we have requested that Christmas decorations are not put up on wards.

“This is in the best interests of our patients and staff as it is not possible to effectively clean decorations. Patient and staff safety remains our top priority and this decision has been made to help protect them from the spread of norovirus.

“We recognise staff and patients want to celebrate Christmas and therefore areas outside of wards are not affected.”

One worker at the hospital, who also wished to remain anonymous, said staff and patients had put together to buy the decorations and they cost “lots of pounds”.

Given this expense, she was disappointed that they would not be used in the hospital’s wards.

A statement on the norovirus outbreak from Wirral University Teaching Hospital, read: “Norovirus is currently circulating in the local community and has recently been the cause of confirmed cases of the virus on several of our wards.

“Members of the public who have been experiencing symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting in the last 48 hours should not visit patients at Wirral University Teaching Hospital until they have been feeling well and symptom free for at least two days.

“This is vital to promote the safety of our vulnerable patients and avoid the spread in hospital.”

They said there is no specific treatment for norovirus, but people can take simple steps to help:

  • Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Take paracetamol as per instructions.
  • Always wash hands with soap and water before meals and after using the toilet.
  • Keep away from others, especially GP surgeries or hospitals.

The statement continued: “To protect our patients from the spread of norovirus all visitors must wash their hands with soap and water when entering or leaving the wards and departments and must not visit other patients if they feel unwell themselves.”

Mr Moore said: “For those who require medical advice where it is not an emergency, they can call NHS 111 at any time of the day.

“We would like to thank members of the public for their assistance at this time.”