Hillingdon Hospital has defended a number of ward closures after a recent outbreak of the winter vomiting bug at the hospital.

Wards were closed for more than a week at the hospital in Pield End Road, and a woman whose mother stayed in one of the reopened wards has lambasted hospital bosses.

Amanda Freeman, 57, of The Chase, Ickenham, said: "My mum was due to go into Pinewood Ward last week but it was closed due to infection.

"Now she is in there and it is still infected but with restrictions on visitors.

"I can't believe they would put a vulnerable person on a ward which is closed to ordinary members of the public.

"If I'm not allowed to go in there, how can they justify putting a 90 year-old woman in?

"I can't contain myself, I'm so angry.

"Are they trying to kill off all their elderly patients?"

Norovirus is a vomiting bug which struck many across the country last January and spreads rapidly.

Cathy Moran, deputy director of nursing at the hospital, said: "The hospital recently reported a number of cases of Norovirus.

"This meant stringent attention to policy and procedures around ward activities and, at the time, ward closures.

"Pinewood ward was one such ward which was closed to visitors for a number of days, and following the completion of recommended cleaning, the ward exercised caution on returning to normal activity as there were still reported cases of Norovirus in the community.

"Restrictions were gradually lifted and the ward is now fully operational."