Routine cardiac surgery temporarily suspended at Morriston Hospital because of Covid-19 outbreak

Routine planned cardiac surgery at Morriston Hospital has been temporarily suspended following a localised Covid-19 outbreak.

We are prioritising staff to continue to care for emergency and urgent cardiac and cardiology patients, working within stringent infection control arrangements.

However, this means we have temporarily suspended routine cardiac cases. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause patients, and their treatment will be rescheduled as soon as possible.  Affected patients will be contacted directly.

Ten patients and five staff have tested positive for the virus as part of the outbreak at Morriston over the last few days, with most of the cases within cardiac services.

We have acted swiftly to initiate a robust infection control response, together with colleagues from Public Health Wales. This has included contact tracing, the wider testing of staff, and stringent mitigating actions aimed at preventing further infections, including closing four wards.

Staff who have tested positive and their contacts are isolating at home, and patients who have tested positive are being carefully managed, with stringent infection control measures in place.

At Singleton Hospital, nine members of maternity staff tested positive for Covid-19 and are isolating. There have been no confirmed or suspected cases reported in the last 24 hours. No patients have tested positive, and wards and beds are all open as normal.

Swansea Bay UHB’s Executive Medical Director, Professor Richard Evans, said:

“The safety of our patients and staff is paramount and we are doing all we can to contain the spread of the virus while minimising the impact on our services.

“However, as a precaution, elective cardiac procedures at Morriston Hospital are being rescheduled. We will continue to closely monitor and manage the situation.”

Given the level of infection in the community, we would like to remind everyone of simple steps to reduce the spread of Coronavirus:

• Always observe physical distancing (two metres).
• Wear a mask or face covering when you are in indoor public areas like shops.
• Wash your hands regularly. Hand sanitiser is great when you are out and about.
• Enhanced local restrictions in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot mean you cannot visit or mix with other households indoors (with the exception of adults who live alone).

Stay home and arrange to get a test if you develop any of the following symptoms: a high temperature, a new continuous cough and a loss or change of taste or smell. Go here for details of how to get a test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When did you first find out there was an outbreak at Morriston Hospital?

A. Concerns were raised on Friday 9^th October regarding the cardiac unit and an outbreak confirmed on Monday 12^th October following further investigations.

Q. Is the Morriston outbreak linked to the one at Singleton maternity department?

A. No, there is no connection between the two outbreaks

Q. Is this outbreak linked to the issues at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital?

A. No, there is no connection with the outbreak at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital

Q. I’m due to have a cardiac procedure – how long will I have to wait now?

A. Firstly, we apologise for the delay, and the inconvenience this may cause you. The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority, but please be assured that as soon as we are able to, we will reschedule your procedure. Unfortunately we are not able to offer a specific date at the moment, but we are keen to keep any delays to a minimum.

Q. I was a cardiac patient at Morriston recently, should I get tested for Covid-19?

A. Patients who may have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 are being contacted and arrangements made for a test. If you are not contacted, you do not need to be tested.

However, if like anyone else, you develop Covid-19 symptoms: a new, continuous cough, a high temperature, loss/change of smell/taste, please stay home and arrange to get a test. Go here for details of how to arrange a test.

Q. Is it safe to come to Morriston Hospital?

A. Yes. Like many other hospitals, some of the patients Morriston care for have tested positive for Covid-19. However stringent infection control measures are in place and patients who test positive for Covid-19 are nursed away from other patients.

If you have an appointment at Morriston it is important that you attend as arranged, and work in partnership with us to keep everyone safe. Go here for more details of what you can expect when coming to Morriston and our other sites.

Q. Which wards have been closed and are they only for cardiac patients?

A. Four wards used specifically for cardiothoracic and cardiology patients have been closed. The wards are Cyril Evans, Ward C, Cardiac HDU and Dan Danino.

Q. How are you managing the patients who have tested positive for Covid-19?

A. Some patients who have tested positive have been discharged home as they no longer need hospital care.  Those that continue to need hospital care have been isolated and are being managed in line with their healthcare needs.

Q. What extra precautions have you put in place at Morriston Hospital?

A. All patients that have been in contact with previously unidentified positive cases have been notified and advised to self-isolate in line with Public Health Wales guidance.    All staff on the affected ward areas have been tested and those displaying symptoms have been instructed to stay home and self-isolate.  Whilst staff remain vigilant with the use of PPE and the need to maintain social distancing, guidance has been reinforced.  

Q. I’m due to come to Morriston Hospital for a test/procedure, should I still come?

A. The outbreak is affecting certain wards only, and routine procedures in these areas have been postponed for now, and patients affected by this have been informed. If you have an appointment at Morriston, and you have not heard from us that it has been postponed, then it is important that you attend as arranged.

When you arrive, please work in partnership with us to keep everyone safe. Go here for more details of what you can expect when coming to Morriston and our other sites.