TAUNTON'S Musgrove Park Hospital currently has restrictions in place on two wards due to a winter diarrhoea and vomiting bug.

Bosses have taken measures to try to limit the spread of norovirus on Fielding and Eliot Wards.

They have issued the following guidelines for people planning to visit patients on the two wards:

*visiting is restricted to close family and friends only;

*use alcohol gel at the entrance on arrival;

*to reduce spread of Norovirus, do not visit other areas in hospital after your visit;

*follow any other instructions given to you by staff;

*note that alcohol gel alone is not effective against norovirus. If visiting a ward affected by norovirus hands should be washed with soap and water before leaving the ward;

*if you have any questions, contact the ward directly.

The public can help reduce the risk of norovirus and other infections at Musgrove by:

*not visiting the hospital if you have had any symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting in the last two days;

*if visiting in the hospital, clean your hands with the alcohol gel at the entrance to the ward or department;

*during the winter season (November to March) children aged 11 and under (except on the children's and maternity wards) should not visit patients in the hospital unless absolutely necessary. Ring to discuss this with the ward manager prior to your visit if you feel it is essential that children visit the hospital.