THE OUTBREAK of the norovirus at Whipps Cross Hospital has started to create pressure on other east London hospitals.
Homerton University Hospital, Hackney is now warning people suffering from the bug to stay away from A and E as ward closures at Whipps Cross have meant ambulances are being diverted and patients are going further afield for treatment.
The increase in patients has put extra strain on the hospital, meaning there is a greater need to try and prevent infection spreading.
A spokesman for Homerton said: “The A and E department is very busy at this time anyway as people are often sick after Christmas - these are always the busiest couple of weeks.
“The issue is if we think we’ve got the norovirus on a ward, we have to close it for 48 hours, deep clean it and then reopen it - pressure gets very high, very quickly.”
And although there has not yet been an outbreak at Homerton, fears are mounting that the bug could spread further and infect staff.
Four wards are currently closed to new patients at Whipps Cross after the infection broke out this week.
