PATIENTS about to go into surgery at Poole Hospital were left angry after being told to get dressed and go home because staff had fallen ill after a party.

At least six people, already in their operating gowns, were turned away on Tuesday as staff fell prey to sickness and diarrhoea.

One Poole woman, who was due to have a cyst removed, contacted the Daily Echo about her experience.

“We had all got into our nighties and dressing gowns when they told us our ops had been cancelled,” she said.

“They were making another date because all the doctors and anaesthetists went out for a party, had a good drink and some got food poisoning.

“Everyone was disgusted.”

After arriving for her procedure at 7.30am, she was back home by 9am.

“I wasn’t happy about it all,” she added. “It’s not nice going into hospital at the best of times. To be in there and told to go home for that reason was really annoying.”

The hospital’s director of nursing and patient safety Martin Smits confirmed a “number of staff” became unwell after an event in a non-clinical part of the hospital on Thursday, July 21.

How many members of the hospital team have been affected is still under investigation.

He said: “As a precaution, and in line with national policy, staff members affected were instructed to stay away from the hospital until they had been clear of symptoms for 48 hours or more.

“We would like to apologise to any patient whose operation was delayed or cancelled as a result of these unforeseen circumstances, and we are working hard to ensure these patients are seen as quickly as possible.

“The trust is currently investigating, in partnership with local environmental health and health protection teams, the possible cause of this sickness, which was confined to staff only.”

Jeff Morley, team manager in environmental services, Borough of Poole said: “We are currently investigating with hospital managers to establish the cause of the diarrhoea and vomiting.”