Warning issued following outbreak of norovirus at Borders General Hospital
Last updated 21st Apr 2025
There's been an outbreak of norovirus at Borders General Hospital.
Anyone with symptoms of the winter vomiting bug is being urged to stay away.
NHS Borders issued the warning just days after it was revealed the hospital is operating at capacity - with all beds full and a number of patients waiting to be admitted.
"Please only visit the Emergency Department for life-threatening emergencies," a post on its social media sites read on Thursday.
"If you do need to attend, you should expect to wait longer than usual to be seen."
Anyone in need of medical treatment is being redirected to their community pharmacy, general practice, or NHS 24 helpline on 111 out of hours.
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It comes just weeks after the community hospital in Duns was forced to close due to concerns around the discovery of a collapse-prone concrete used in the construction of its roof.
All patients have since been transferred while repairs - estimated to take up to six months - are carried out.
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It's not the first time this year health chiefs have revealed Borders General Hospital has been under extreme pressure.
Similar warnings to those issued on April 17th and 18th were issued on April 8th, February 5th and 24th, and January 14th, 15th and 28th.
On February 21st, the health board also made an urgent appeal for healthcare support workers or registered nurses to take on extra shifts to cope with demand.
The spread of winter illnesses like flu, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), norovirus and Covid-19 was blamed for a 'higher than usual' staff absence.
In its latest post on Sunday, NHS Borders says: "Norovirus is circulating in the community with confirmed and suspected cases in the BGH. To keep our patients and staff safe please DO NOT visit our hospitals if you have symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting."
The heath board tonight (Monday) added that it is "experiencing significant pressure across the healthcare system, with long waits for admission to the Borders General Hospital."
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Sarah Horan, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals, continued: “We know how much it means to visit loved ones in hospital, but we must do everything we can to reduce the spread of illnesses.
"What feels like a minor stomach bug or cold to you could have serious consequences if passed on to someone who is already unwell. It is therefore essential that everyone plays their part in preventing the spread of these infections.
“One of the simplest ways of protecting yourself and your loved ones is by regularly washing your hands with warm water and soap. Hand sanitiser is conveniently placed around healthcare settings, so when you see it, please use it, especially if soap and water is not immediately available.
“By staying home if you are feeling ill and practising good hand hygiene when visiting healthcare settings, you are playing a vital role in keeping our patients, staff and wider communities safe.”
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