Winter vomiting virus patients told to keep away from A&E

Barts and The London NHS Trust is advising those who suspect they have the norovirus to "think carefully" before visiting the A&E department.

Fears of an outbreak come as health officials warn a rise in flu cases, combined with an influx of illnesses related to this month's cold snap, are putting a strain on hospitals.

Some London A&E departments have been forced to turn patients away because they are full, while some ambulance staff have had leave cancelled to cope with rising emergency demand. Experts have warned the system cannot cope under such pressure for much longer.

The problems are partly caused by the flu season starting earlier than usual, with surgeries and hospitals experiencing levels this month not usually seen until January and February. About 40 people per 100,000 are suffering from the illness, which is thought to be the highest level in the season for eight years.

Jonathan Fielden from the British Medical Association said: "Hospitals are under intense pressure. The cold snap has brought, as predicted, an increase in the number of chest and cardiac problems. We have also seen intense pressure on our ambulance colleagues."

Dr Fielden also said the Government's 18-week waiting target for surgery was putting too much pressure on hospitals.It comes after Nigel Edwards, policy director at the NHS Confederation, said hospitals were treating more emergency patients than ever while still trying to shorten waiting times.

He added: "All staff are working flat out to make sure that we can continue to provide high quality and safe care and the pressure they are under is a concern. Sustaining the current pace of work required for a prolonged period will be challenging." The London ambulance service is operating under "critical" pressure, the first time it has reached that level.

The Evening Standard reported this month that a huge rise in the number of patients forced St George's hospital in Tooting and King George hospital in Ilford to divert ambulances, while an outbreak of the norovirus at Mayday hospital in Croydon forced it to shut its doors for more than two hours.

The Royal London hospital in Whitechapel has already dealt with "a few minor cases" of the norovirus and is now urging anyone with vomiting or diarrhoea to stay at home.

Dr Brian McCloskey, London Regional Director of the Health Protection Agency, said: "Although it can be unpleasant, winter vomiting is generally a mild and short-lived illness and the majority of people usually recover within two to three days."