Hospital restricts visiting as norovirus spreads

A hospital has brought in visiting restrictions on its wards because of an increase in norovirus cases.

Surrey & Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the East Surrey Hospital in Redhill, said visiting was being temporarily restricted until Monday on its wards.

Patients in the emergency department could have one visitor each day, a statement on its website said.

The NHS trust said: "This temporary change does not apply to paediatrics, maternity, or end-of-life patients."

It follows a plea by the NHS trust on Wednesday for people only to visit A&E for life-threatening illnesses or injuries, as staff cared for several patients with norovirus.

The trust asked those in need of urgent care to use the Urgent Treatment Centre at Crawley Hospital, or minor injuries units at Caterham Dene, Horsham Hospital and Queen Victoria Hospital, or contact their GP, a pharmacy or NHS 111.

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