Hospitals restrict visitors due to virus outbreak

People will have to book visits to inpatient wards at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth

A hospital trust has imposed visitor restrictions due to an outbreak of a virus that causes nausea and diarrhoea.

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust said it had "high numbers of norovirus cases in our hospital setting".

It said visitors would have to reserve times with inpatient wards in advance until further notice.

Patients at its hospitals will also be allowed only one visitor for an hour each day except in special circumstances, the trust said.

There are no new restrictions on visiting maternity and children's wards.

Chief Nurse Ann Thomas said: "People are continuing to visit the hospital with norovirus symptoms. 

"Whilst we recognise how important visitors are to the overall well-being of our patients, we must stop the spread of this virus in our hospitals to protect our vulnerable patients and staff."

Norovirus causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, and is highly contagious.

Anyone experiencing symptoms should not attend hospital unless in a medical emergency, the hospital's notice to visitors advised.

England had a high number of cases of norovirus in March, although the figures were falling, according to the latest government bulletin.