RELATIVES and carers have been asked to 'carefully consider' their visits to Borders General Hospital this weekend, after a number of wards continue to be affected by cases of the norovirus.

To help minimise the impact of the outbreak, the general advice is to stay away from any hospital ward if you or anyone in your family has experienced symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting in the past 48 hours.

Medical Director Dr Cliff Sharp said: "The presence of norovirus can affect our ability to move patients to the most appropriate location in the hospital for them to receive their care.

"Norovirus is one of the most common causes of diarrhoea and vomiting illness. It is very infectious and spreads quickly between people.

"In order to minimise any potential impact on the BGH over the weekend, and to help prevent you being exposed to the virus please carefully consider your visit and comply with any instructions you are given by staff or you see on signs at the entrances to wards.

"This is also an ideal time for me to remind you of how you can help us provide the best possible care to the most unwell patients by only using the Emergency Department at the BGH when it is an emergency.

"So, if you have an illness or injury that is serious and requires urgent medical attention such as severe bleeding, broken bones, chest pain, severe abdominal pain or breathing difficulties then A&E is the right place for you.

"Your local pharmacist can provide expert treatment and advice for a range of common illnesses and ailments such as coughs, colds and earache, and when your GP surgery is closed and you’re too ill to wait, you can access medical care by calling NHS 24 on the free phone number 111."

Scheduled appointments including outpatient appointments are not affected and patients are being told to attend as normal.