People who have flu symptoms or the winter vomiting bug norovirus are being urged to avoid attending or visiting hospitals unless absolutely necessary.

The request follows a number of bed closures at hospitals across Wales, to try to prevent the spread of norovris among vulnerable patients.

Wales’ Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ruth Hussey, is urging people to seek advice from the NHS Direct Wales telephone service about managing norovirus, or to contact their pharmacist or GP about flu-like symptoms, instead of attending A&E departments.

The request to stay away also applies to people who are experiencing symptoms, and who are planning on visiting a relative or friend in hospital. 

Bed closures are affecting already busy hospitals' ability to admit new patients quickly from A&E departments.

“GPs across Wales have seen a growing number of people with the winter vomiting bug or flu-like symptoms as well as an increase in respiratory conditions following the recent cold snap," said Dr Hussey.

“This has created an increased demand for urgent GP appointments and may have made it difficult to book planned appointments.

“Hospital staff are reporting an increase in norovirus and flu on wards.

"We are asking people not to visit friends or relatives in hospital if they have experienced any sickness or diarrhoea in the last 48 hours.

"Norovirus is highly contagious and can spread rapidly, just like flu, and some hospital patients could be particularly vulnerable."

Advice and information is available through NHS Direct on 0845 46 47, in pharmacies, and through the Choose Pharmacy minor ailments scheme which includes prescriptions for certain conditions.