A HOSPITAL has been forced to close a ward to new admissions after patients caught a highly infectious bug.

Eighteen patients on Ardingly ward at Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath have sickness and diarrhoea linked to the norovirus.

Three members of staff have also been affected and bosses are now working to prevent the spread of further infections.

The disruption is having an impact on other already busy departments at the Princess Royal and its sister site, the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, which would normally transfer some patients up to Haywards Heath.

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs both hospitals, is already under pressure caused by increased demand over winter.

It also has bed-blocking patients who are ready to be discharged but cannot leave because they are waiting for a care or nursing home place or a package of support to be prepared for them in their own home.

A trust spokesman said: “The Princess Royal Hospital is currently caring for a high number of patients with diarrhoea and vomiting.

“Strict infection control measures are in place to prevent the spread of symptoms and the general public are asked for their support in helping us maintain these.

“Anyone with symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting should not come to hospital but should contact their GP surgery, the out of hours GP service or the 111 service for advice.

“If you feel unwell with gastrointestinal symptoms you should stay at home and drink plenty of water and not visit friends or relatives in hospital until you are free of the symptoms for at least 48 hours.

“Failure to do this will increase the risk of spreading the infection to patients and staff in hospital.

“Hospital visitors who are not experiencing symptoms should practice good hand hygiene by regularly washing their hands and using the alcohol hand gel dispensers located at the entrance to all wards.”

Public Health England says cases of the norovirus are beginning to circulate in the community around the south east, particularly in settings like care homes, hospitals, schools and nurseries.

Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust and East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust are not currently experiencing any problems.