Visiting hours at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, are being restricted on all wards until the hospital is free of norovirus. 

Like many hospitals, the RUH is tackling norovirus, a viral infection which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, and restricting the number of visitors will help to cut the risk of infection.

Helen Blanchard, director of nursing and midwifery at the RUH, says: “Restricting our visiting times in this way means we are significantly reducing the number of opportunities to bring Norovirus into the hospital.

"This reduces our patients’ exposure to the virus and also that of our staff. It also means we can increase the cleaning routines on the wards and eventually halt the spread of the infection.

"We appreciate that families like to visit their loved ones when they are in hospital and are aware of the benefits for patients, but it is currently more important to prevent patients catching this infection. We are asking the public to consider their responsibility to help us to do that.”

A spokesman said: "Visits should now only take place between 3-4pm or 7-8pm, or only visit if you are collecting someone who is being discharged.

"Visiting is restricted to immediate family members only, no children, and a maximum of two visitors at the bedside at any one time.

"If you feel that your visit to a ward is essential, for example if a relative is terminally ill or critically ill, or on other compassionate grounds, then please ring the ward for advice in advance before you leave home.

"Visiting to maternity, NICU and paediatrics is not affected.

In addition, the trust is asking people with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting not to go to the Emergency Department but to contact their primary care GP or out of hours service for initial advice and direction.

If patients are due to come into the hospital for an operation and have symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting they should phone the ward before they leave home to find out whether they should still have their operation as planned.

The RUH’s outpatient clinics are open as usual, so people should turn up for outpatient appointments unless they are ill. If that is the case, they need to contact the department to say they are unable to attend.