ROYAL Bournemouth Hospital bosses have defended their infection control policy after cases of Norovirus were confirmed on two wards.

Poole Hospital suspended visiting on December 29 as a precaution after an increase in cases of the sickness and diarrhoea bug in the community.

But the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals only introduced visiting restrictions after the outbreak on wards two and five was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon.

Since then, ward 26 has also been closed to new admissions and visitors because of vomiting and diarrhoea.

Visiting in all other wards is restricted to next of kin.

Paula Shobbrook, director of nursing and infection prevention and control at RBCH, said: “We feel it is not in the best interests of our patients to put a blanket ban on visiting across the hospital, as we have to balance the benefits our patients get from interaction with friends and family with the serious risk of infection.

“We would ask that all visitors do retain good hand hygiene and do not come into the hospital if they have been in contact with anyone with symptoms of sickness and/or diarrhoea.”

She added: “We take patient safety very seriously – our infection control leads instantly communicate with ward staff so any issues are reported immediately and effective action can be taken.”

Poole Hospital is now allowing two members of family to visit each patient once a day, preferably in the afternoon, but only by prior arrangement and at the discretion of the nurse or midwife in charge.

Mary Sherry, chief operating officer at the hospital, said: “We regret that visiting restrictions remain in place.

“I do understand that it may be frustrating for those who wish to drop in on friends and family in hospital, but we need to balance that desire with a need to safeguard patients and staff.”

She added: “The restrictions in place to date have been effective in containing any spread of the illness, and I would like to thank the public for their support and the understanding they have shown.”

Dr Adrian Dawson, director of public health for Bournemouth and Poole, said: “Norovirus is still in our community and while unpleasant to have, it can have far-reaching repercussions when introduced to environments such as hospitals.

“We urge anyone who has had symptoms not to visit relatives in hospitals, nursing or residential care homes and keep away from others until symptom-free for 48 hours.”