A WARD at Llandough Hospital has had to close because of a flu outbreak.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board have confirmed the ward has been closed to prevent any further spread.

They say that some bays have been closed off to new admissions and that visiting is discouraged unless absolutely necessary in order to prevent further spread of the virus.

It comes just weeks after three wards at the hospital were closed due to an outbreak in mid December and days after it was revealed that less than half of healthcare staff of had their flu vaccination this year.

South Wales Central AM, Andrew RT Davies urged Cardiff and Vale University Health Board to take action to prevent flu outbreaks in future.

He pointed out that less than half of all healthcare staff had the flu jab this year, and that this should be far higher.

Mr Davies said: "It is deeply concerning to hear of ward closures at Llandough, and this will only make current bed shortages worse.

"It is disappointing that take up of the flu jab is so low among healthcare staff, and the health board must take action to address this to prevent such incidents occurring in future."

A spokesman for the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: "We are working hard to make sure that as many staff as possible have the flu vaccination.

"We continue to promote the vaccine and are recruiting more Flu Champions to deliver the jab on our wards.

"Our efforts have seen uptake increase every year for the past five years, with our current uptake close to our target for the year.

"However, we know we need to do more and we are also working alongside other health boards in Wales to share best practice, as we know that the challenges in increasing staff uptake are not unique to Cardiff and the Vale.

"Increasing our uptake involves a cultural change and, with staff engagement continuing to improve, we are hopeful that we will hit our uptake goal by the end of this flu season, in line with Welsh Government’s targets."