Borders General Hospital 'breakout' ward created

Health chiefs are creating a "breakout" ward at the Borders General Hospital which will help deal with issues such as winter sickness bug outbreaks.

Dozens of patients and staff members have been struck down by the norovirus over the past couple of months.

Throughout the festive period at least one ward remained closed to all admissions at the site near Melrose.

NHS Borders hopes the eight-bed extension to ward six can be opened in the near future.

A spokesman said the facility was required to provide emergency bed spaces in the event other wards had to close to admissions due to outbreaks of norovirus and similar bugs.

In the week between Christmas and New Year a total of 15 patients were suffering from symptoms of the virus.

Four members of staff were also affected.