Action to stop spread of bacteria at hospital

Measures are in place at a hospital after nearly 30 people were colonised with a bacteria that can potentially cause serious infections.

Isabel Rabey, lead nurse for infection prevention and control, said 29 people at Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Guernsey had been colonised with vancomycin‑resistant enterococci (VRE) as of Wednesday - but none were infected.

She said colonisation meant the bacteria was present in the body, but was not causing illness or symptoms.

"We have put measures in place to prevent VRE from spreading within the hospital," she said.

Rabey said the bacteria could "live harmlessly in the gut or on the skin", but in some cases could cause infections such as urinary tract, wound or bloodstream infections.

Many people who carry VRE "never become unwell from it", she added.

"Good hand hygiene remains the most effective way to stop transmission, and this is being reinforced across all wards," she said.

Other measures include enhanced environmental cleaning, extra staff training on preventing and managing VRE and isolating affected patients where possible.

Rabey said: "These actions are designed to protect patients, staff, and visitors, and the situation continues to be closely monitored."

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