Patients are being turned away from Walsall Manor Hospital following a second outbreak of the winter vomiting bug Norovirus, which has closed four wards.
Accident and emergency remains open but ambulance crews are being instructed to take non-emergency cases to either Sandwell General Hospital in West Bromwich or New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton.
Some patients who need emergency operations also face being transferred elsewhere.
Three wards were closed for around a week earlier this month following an outbreak of the highly contagious bug which causes projectile vomiting and diarrhoea.
Problems have been made worse this time because one of the affected wards is the Integrated Assessment Unit where patients initially go following their transfer from A&E. They can also be taken there directly by paramedics if they do not need emergency treatment.
The other affected wards are the Respiratory Care Unit (RCU), Kestrel for diabetes and general medicine cases and the coronary care unit Osprey. The outbreak started at the weekend.
In total 23 patients have been struck down with the bug. All four wards have been closed to new patients and no visitors are allowed.
Patients who have already been admitted to the four wards but do not have the virus cannot be transferred.
Hospital chief executive Sue James said: “If patients do need admission to hospital during this time ambulance crews are being asked to make the decision whether they should be brought here or taken to a neighbouring hospital.
“The Accident & Emergency department remains open and will continue to function as normal.”
She urged anyone planning to visit the hospital to stay away if they have been unwell in the last 48 hours.
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