The trust said the situation has been exacerbated by a rise in staff sickness and challenges discharging patients and moving patients around the site in line with increased infection control measures.

Temporary visiting restrictions have been put in place in all wards until further notice with the exception of patients on end-of-life care, in maternity and paediatric wards, and in the emergency department.

Dr Ed Cetti, chief medical officer for Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said: ‘In response to the continued high levels of norovirus across our hospital, sustained demand in our emergency department, and the challenges we are facing moving patients around the site in line with necessary infection control measures, the trust has declared a critical incident.

‘Temporary visiting restrictions to all our wards at East Surrey Hospital therefore remain in place until further notice, with the exception of patients on end of life care, in our maternity and paediatric wards, and in ED. This will help to reduce the risk of further spread and support patient safety.  

‘In line with our strengthened infection prevention measures, we continue to ask members of the public not to come to the hospital if they have had diarrhoea or vomiting in the last 48 hours.

‘We know how important visiting is and we are keeping these measures under close review and will lift them as soon as we are able to. More information on visiting and local urgent care options is available on our website.'