A SIXTH ward has been sealed off at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire as it tries to cope with an outbreak of the norovirus stomach bug.

The set-back brings the number of beds out of action to around 130; 12 per cent of the hospital's total capacity.

This is at a time when it is already being hit by a surge of emergency patients queuing to be admitted.

The worsening crisis today prompted a warning by health experts for people suffering the early signs of the so-called winter vomiting bug to stay at home and drink plenty of liquids until they feel better, on average two days later.

The latest ward to be hit is 24 and follows wards 123, 84, 57, 64 and 65 which have already been shut to new cases. The restrictions have also stopped patients being transferred out of the stricken areas.

To try and contain the outbreak, hospital officials have slashed visiting times throughout the complex and banned children from entering any general ward.

Sufferers whose symptoms are severe enough need hospital care – usually the very young and elderly who have become dehydrated.

Symptoms start with the sudden onset of nausea followed by vomiting and diarrhoea accompanied by raised temperature, headaches and aching limbs.

Chief Nurse Sarah Byrom, pictured, said: "While norovirus is common for this time of year, we have seen a big increase in the number of people coming into the hospital with symptoms, and for the safety of other patients, staff and visitors it is essential that we restrict visiting for now.

"It will be restricted to 6.30pm to 7.30pm on general wards, and no children will be allowed on to the wards, but staff will exercise discretion in some areas where families need to visit."

Only essential visitors should enter the site. Anyone wanting to check the visiting times should call the ward directly.

The loss of wards comes at a time when scores more beds are blocked by other recovering patients who have finished their treatment but have nowhere safe to transfer to.

Meanwhile ambulance chiefs are asking the public to think twice before dialling 999 as call-outs reach a new peak.

The service received more calls on Monday than last New Year's Eve, traditionally one of the busiest days of the year.

West Midlands Ambulance Trust says it is under enormous pressure and appealed to people to use the service sensibly.

Staffordshire had the biggest increase in the region with a hike of 17.3 per cent.