Altnagelvin Ward 5 reopens, but some beds remain closed

The Western Trust has confirmed that Ward 5 at Altnagelvin Hospital has reopened following its closure last week due to an outbreak of the norovirus along with staff shortages.
Medical Director, Dr Dermot Hughes, says the hospital continues to deal with Infection Prevention and Control issues on an ongoing basis.
However, beds across the hospital still remain closed with some inpatient care work postponed.
The elective orthopedic ward was closed last week as a result of staff shortages and a norovirus outbreak.
Dr Dermot Hughes, Medical Director with the Western Trust says the ward has now reopened to admissions.
It is reported that staffing is still an issue at Althnagelvin Hospital resulting in bed closures across the hospital as a whole.
Dr Hughes has said that nursing levels are being addressed with additional staff being sought from banking lists and agencies.
He says that the situation at the hospital is reviewed on a daily basis with a view to making the best use of available beds and to ensure most clinically urgent patients receive their scheduled operations and treatments.