VISITING has been restricted at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton to help the hospital stay free of a vomiting bug.

There is currently no outbreak of the norovirus at the hospital – and staff are looking for the public’s help in keeping it that way.

Director of nursing and governance Martine Price said: “There is evidence of diarrhoea and vomiting bugs in the community so we are taking this action to ensure that we stay free of these at Musgrove. We need everybody’s help to ensure that the hospital is not affected.”

The hospital is asking patients to nominate two named visitors.

Visiting times are limited to between 2pm and 4pm and 6pm and 8pm.

A hospital spokesman added: “Most importantly no one should attend if they have experienced any diarrhoea or vomiting in the last 72 hours, and all visitors must practice impeccable hand hygiene. Children should not visit, although exceptions will be made for patients’ children.

“When similar restrictions were put in place last year, norovirus infection rates reduced considerably. This will be kept under review and the restrictions will be relaxed as soon as possible.”