Respite care was cut short for five children with life-limiting illnesses due to a diarrhoea and vomiting virus.

Demelza Hospice Care for Children took the decision to limit the number of youngsters at its site in Rook Lane, Bobbing due to the outbreak.

Care was maintained for urgent and complex cases, and 24/7 telephone services remained operational.

No staff were sent home but those working part of the week from home were offered the opportunity to do so for the remainder of the week.

Planned visits were curtailed, and a New Year party planned for children and parents on Sunday was also postponed.

The precautions, which were in accordance with guidance from Public Health England (PHE), were reviewed daily and families were kept informed.

The facility has been re-opened to users as normal this week.

Demelza chief executive officer Steve Hoy said: “In light of a diarrhoea and vomiting virus that is affecting some local schools and other establishments, including the Kent Demelza site, the charity put some precautions in place to minimise the risks to children and families.

“As always, the health, safety and well-being of the children is of the upmost importance to us.”

A PHE spokesman said: “Our Kent health protection team (HPT) are aware of the outbreak at Demelza Hospice Care earlier this month, and offered infection control advice along similar lines to that offered to any nursing or care home.

“The hospice has its own policy on infectious diseases and invoked this, closing to new admissions and sending patients home while a deep clean was undertaken.

“The HPT has been made aware of a total of nine cases to date of what appeared to be a viral infection. These were a mix of children, staff and parents.”