ALL Poole Hospital’s wards have closed to visitors again in a bid to halt the winter vomiting bug in its tracks.

Bosses took the decision yesterday following high levels of Norovirus in the community and a number of suspected cases at the hospital.

The ban comes just weeks after a similar hospital-wide restriction was lifted, and three wards were already out of bounds.

Staff will review the situation daily.

Denise Richards, matron for infection control, said: “We regret that we are reintroducing a suspension to visiting as part of our proactive and precautionary stance towards managing norovirus.

“We do understand how frustrating these restrictions can be for patients and their loved ones, but we also have to ensure that we take all available responsible and proactive measures open to us to limit the spread of this illness and maintain the smooth running of the hospital for all our patients.

“While levels of norovirus remain high in the community, and with three wards already restricted to essential visiting only, we believe this measure is in the best interests of all our patients.”

Restricting all but essential visiting will help the hospital to minimise any introduction or spread of the illness, a spokesman added.

Norovirus does not pose a serious risk of ill health to many, but the step will help protect the hospital’s vulnerable patients and make sure staff are available for duty, he added.

Non-essential ward visits will only be permitted at the discretion of the nurse or midwife in charge.

Anyone planning to visit a patient at Poole Hospital should call the ward before doing so.

Outpatient clinics, day case and diagnostic services are unaffected.

Patients due for an appointment who have had or been near someone with diarrhoea or vomiting in the last three days should contact the hospital as soon as possible to discuss their appointment.