Nine patients and three members of staff have been struck down by a stomach illness at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital.

One ward, which caters for renal patients, has been closed following the outbreak of the sickness.

The symptoms, which include vomiting and diarrhoea, are said to be similar to those which have stopped all non-emergency admissions at the Victoria Infirmary in Glasgow.

Officials at Heartlands Hospital have been meeting to decide how best to limit the spread of the illness described as "winter-vomiting virus".

Community problem

Dr Hugh Raynor, a consultant physician and medical director for medicine at the hospital, said patients exhibited a number of symptoms.

"This is an unpleasant but not life-threatening illness where patients suddenly develop nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

"It usually lasts between 24 and 48 hours and is a self-limiting condition.

"It is quite a common illness at this time of the year in the community and obviously patients come into hospital when they're ill and it seems to be coming in with patients."

None of the affected patients is said to be in a critical condition.

Dr Kathy Nye, a consultant microbiologist with the regional public health laboratory which his based at Heartlands, said: "We are already on top of this but people need to remain vigilant.

"If they think they may be suffering from it then don't come to work."

Staff at the hospital first became aware of the virus on 9 January when patients became to complain of symptoms.