Letter sent to Woking News & Mail following last week's article about D&V:

Dear Sir

The assistance of your newspaper in keeping local residents informed about the D&V problem at Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals has been welcome but the headline ‘More wards are closed as bug lingers at St. Peter’s’ (16th May) and the opening paragraphs last week were incorrect.

Over the first bank holiday weekend we had to close nine wards to new medical admissions. Ever since then the position has improved and the press statement last week said that only two wards remained closed to new admissions – NOT two new wards. It is also incorrect to suggest that D&V is present throughout the hospital. Many wards, day surgery, A&E, the Walk In Centre and Rapid Access Unit have all remained open throughout.

We handled all self referred patients, i.e. those who just walked in, and all priorities brought in by ambulance. When on ‘divert’ during this out break we were still admitting 10-20 patients per day and using our capacity as efficiently as possible. We believe the number of patients who were diverted to neighbouring Trusts was small and were in the main referrals from GPs or less urgent ambulance cases. By continuing to function as an emergency and trauma hospital throughout this episode, the inconvenience and pressure placed on neighbouring Trusts was minimised. 

Infections such as MRSA have reduced at Ashford and St. Peter’s. As part of our continuing efforts to reduce infections the requirements for good hand hygiene and the guidelines on visiting arrangements remain in place. We welcome the support of both the Woking News & Mail and local people to ensure that this advice and guidance is followed. 

Yours faithfully

Michaela Morris

Director of Nursing and Operations