28 December 2012 Last updated at 12:17 ET

Southampton General Hospital visiting restrictions imposed

Restrictions have been imposed at Southampton General Hospital in an effort to prevent the spread of winter vomiting bugs.

Four wards at the hospital have been closed to new admissions and visiting restrictions are in place.

Friends and relatives are being asked to get permission from ward staff before visiting patients.

The restrictions are also in place at Princess Anne Hospital and Countess Mountbatten House hospice.

'Highly contagious'

Judy Gillow, director of nursing at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We have contained the spread of sickness bugs within hospital well throughout November and December and over Christmas, but cases have remained high outside and we are now beginning to see that have an effect on us."

She added: "While it is important we do everything we can to prevent people fuelling the spread of these highly contagious bugs around our hospitals, we fully understand that some patients will benefit from seeing visitors, we just ask that this is agreed with ward staff to ensure we protect the most vulnerable patients."

The hospital also urged people attending with medical problems to inform staff immediately if they have experienced symptoms or have been in contact with someone with sickness.