Stafford Hospital wards close after norovirus outbreak
Two wards at Stafford Hospital have been closed to new patients and transfers following an outbreak of norovirus.
The winter vomiting bug has affected the acute medical ward and the GP assessment unit at the Weston Road site.
Hospital chiefs have requested that would-be visitors who have had diarrhoea, vomiting or 'flu-like' symptoms in the last 48 hours stay away from both Stafford and Cannock Chase Hospitals.
They warned that the bug can be particularly serious for people who are already ill or who have a long-term condition.
Dr Paul Woodmansey, medical director of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust which runs the hospitals, said: "We usually see higher levels of norovirus in the winter, and it's really important to make sure that we protect vulnerable patients and hospital staff."
