OPERATIONS have been cancelled and A&E remains closed as Whipps Cross University Hospital continues to try and contain an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.
The Leytonstone hospital remains on “blue cross divert” mode under the advice of the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to protect vulnerable patients from Norovirus.
Visitors have been banned from most parts of the hospital, 19 wards - including A&E have been closed and all shops and canteens are shut.
The hospital is taking emergency admissions to its maternity department, children's A&E and day surgery, while diagnostics and outpatient clinics are keeping appointments as normal.
Brenda Fone, 70, chair of the hospital's League of Friends, was supposed to undergo a hysterectomy operation earlier this month after being on a waiting list since October - but has had it cancelled three times.
She said: ““It is worrying. It doesn't seem to be getting better, but worse. In the 25 years I have been on the Friends committee, I have never known it to be this bad.
“It is annoying for me because I don't know when I am going in. I have never been in hospital and I am a bit nervous so I want to get it over with as quickly as possible. But the hospital doesn't have a choice and are keeping me informed.”
She added: “I feel sorry for the people in hospital with no visitors and the elderly who might not understand why they can't have visitors.”
A 59-year-old mum from Walthamstow, who did not want to be named, said she is due to attend hospital but because she is agoraphobic is worried she will have a panic attack if unaccompanied.
She said: “I was told I would have to go in on my own so I have had to cancel several times. A lot of people have cancelled appointments because many people are too nervous to go on their own.
“I have been going there for 20 years and this is very unusual. I just want to know how long this will go on for.”
HPA advised a three-day closure on Tuesday to allow infected patients to recover from the virus.
The hospital's urgent care centre will see walk-in patients and ambulances will continue to take patients to Whipps Cross.
The Trust is advising people with non-emergency illnesses to contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or at: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or visit GP practices, including out-of-hours services.
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