A number of wards at Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge Hospitals are currently affected by norovirus.

Also known as 'winter vomiting', norovirus is a highly infectious, community acquired virus that causes diarrhoea and/or vomiting.

If you have any symptoms, or have been in contact with anyone with symptoms, please do not visit the hospital.

In order to contain this virus some wards will be closed to visitors and in others a strict visiting policy will be enforced:

No more than 2 visitors per bed

Visiting restricted to between 3pm and 4pm and 7pm and 8pm

Children not allowed in to visit

As of today, the following wards are closed to visitors:

10, 20, 24, 26, 33, 34 at Arrowe Park Hospital and ward R1 at Clatterbridge Hospital.

For information on a patient please telephone and ask to speak to the relevant Ward Manager on 0151 678 5111 for Arrowe Park and 0151 334 4000 for Clatterbridge.

Meanwhile, as a consequence of the recent bad weather, the accident and emergency service is experiencing increased pressure dealing with injuries relating to trips and falls and so are urging people to only attend if they have a serious injury or emergency health problem.

Check out the Wirral Hospitals website for regular updates, along with Globe online.