The Ennis General Hospital in Co Clare has banned visitors due to an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.

The hospital has confirmed a total of five cases of the illness and a ban has been placed on all visitors, except in the case of an emergency.

Last week, a similar ban was introduced at a nursing home in the west of the county after two suspected cases.

The news follows on the heels of troubles for a Drogheda Hospital which yesterday had to turn away patients due to overcrowding.

Management at the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital had taken the decision to refer A&E patients to nearby hospitals in Dundalk, Navan and Cavan.

Around 34 patients were left on trolleys in the hospital's A&E unit during the crisis, and management at the hospital said the measures had been taken in order to relieve pressure on the emergency department and in the interest of patient safety. However, other emergencies such as trauma, paediatrics as well as obstetrics and gynaecological cases continue to be admitted.

The hospital is the biggest in the north-east, and a new €11.35 million emergency Department is currently under construction at the site.

In other Health news, yesterday's Budget announced some challenging charges for using the Irish health service.

Attending accident and emergency departments will is to go up to €100 while private and semi-private bed charges in public hospitals are being increased by 20% to bring them closer to the economic value.

People will also have to pay up to €100 a month for their medicines before the State begins to reimburse them any additional costs under changes to the Drug Payment Scheme.

Mr Lenihan announced there will also be a targeted voluntary early retirement scheme to be introduced for the HSE.

See: Drogheda A&E Turns Patients Away

(DW)