RESIDENTS from Prestwich and Whitefield are being asked to avoid using the accident and emergency unit at North Manchester General Hospital, after an outbreak of winter vomiting disease.

It has been confirmed 18 patients and six staff have contracted the disease, known as the Norovirus.

Health bosses are requesting visitors and patients to refrain from attending the Crumpsall-based hospital whenever possible, until the sickness has cleared.

People with minor injuries or problems are being asked to use NHS Walk-in centres, such as the one based in Rectory Lane, Prestwich, as well as seeking help from their family doctor. Information and treatment can also be obtained from local pharmacists.

North Manchester hospital's coronary care unit, emergency assessment unit and one medical ward all have patients who are affected by the illness.

As a result, the hospital's standard infection control plan has been activated, which includes the restrictions on movement of patients. Unless absolutely essential for medical reasons, no patients will be moved from wards where a case has been detected and no new patients will be moved in.

It is because of the knock-on effect on beds that members of the public are being asked to avoid using the accident and emergency department.

Steven Farey, divisional director of medicine for Pennine Acute Trust, which runs the hospital, said: "Staff on the wards will be working closely with their infection control experts to minimise the chance of the disease spreading. Patients and visitors can play their part by following the instructions given by staff."

"In addition, if anyone thinks they are suffering from this illness it will be in their interest, and the interest of other patients, for them to stay at home and not to visit the hospital until they are feeling better.

"We are reviewing the situation regularly, and we will keep people updated when things return to normal. Winter vomiting disease tends to result in short, concentrated outbreaks, so we are hoping that we will soon have the hospital back to normal."

Winter vomiting disease circulates in the community, and is often brought into hospitals. Patients often feel extremely poorly while they have the virus, with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea and fever. The symptoms typically last for 12 to 60 hours.

Work to contain and tackle the spread of the disease means restrictions will be put on visitors to the wards involved. In particular, senior nurses are asking that, in relation to the affected wards:

Visits are limited to close family only, no more than two at a time

No children are brought on visits

Visitors should ensure that they follow all infection control procedures, as indicated by staff, including using the alcohol gel on the wards.