PATIENTS throughout Hampshire will not be able to spend more than an hour of Christmas Day with loved ones after three major hospitals confirmed they would continue to restrict visiting hours.

As reported last week, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Andover War Memorial Hospital, and Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital have all been forced to restrict visitors from entering the hospital for a mere hour of the day after cases of sickness and diarrhoea were reported on Friday (December 20).

All wards at the three major hospitals have been affected by the outbreak which will mean many sick and injured people will spend the best part of the festive period alone.

While no comment has been made from hospital officials it has been confirmed the situation will be reviewed on December 27.

Wards will be open to visitors between 6.30pm and 7.30pm but children and the elderly are not advised to enter hospital grounds.

Anyone who has experienced flu-like symptoms or diarrhoea and vomiting are asked to avoid coming to the hospital completely.

For more information visit hampshirehosptials.nhs.uk.