Visiting limited after bug warning

RESTRICTIONS on visiting times have been re-introduced at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire after more wards were hit by the winter vomiting bug.

The rules had been brought in and then lifted last week.

But they are now needed again because five wards were closed to new admissions as a result of the contagious seasonal illness.

Until further notice visiting will be restricted to one hour a day, normally between 6.30pm and 7.30pm, and no children will be allowed on the wards on both the Royal Infirmary and City General sites.

Helen Jenkinson, deputy director of infection prevention and control, said: "We are in the prime season for norovirus and are taking this quick action again as a precaution to try and prevent it taking a hold within the hospital.

"When we introduced a temporary restriction recently it was a major factor in allowing us to reopen the affected wards quickly."