FLOWERS are out at the Dorset County Hospital where bouquets are being banned from Monday.

Any flowers delivered to the flagship hospital in Dorchester will be refused or relatives will be asked to take them away.

Director of nursing Alison Tong said the ban covers all wards.

She said: "There is evidence to show that flowers in vases that are not effectively maintained can pose an infection risk, so it is for this reason that we have decided that flowers will no longer be accepted on our wards.

"Patient feedback tells us that people prefer to receive flowers when they are back home as it is difficult to transport flowers home after a stay in hospital."

She said getting rid of vases of flowers also made it easier for staff to keep wards clean and tidy.

"We have been undertaking a considerable amount of work to improve the environment for patients in hospital.

"We are aware that space is limited on wards and therefore are trying to manage that space effectively to ensure our patients are not put at any risk."

Ms Tong added: "We will be coming into line with many other hospitals that have already put a stop to flowers in patient areas.

"We know that bugs develop in the water that flowers are in and it can get spilt on the ward.

"We've got to be responsible to our patients."

Other gifts such as fruit and books would still be welcomed.

Ms Tong said: "It's traditional, especially on maternity wards, to give flowers and people like to send them if they are too far away to visit.

"But people are not in hospital for long stays now.

"They can enjoy flowers more at home after they've left hospital.

"It will be a flower-free zone.

"But we have a lot of art work here to brighten it up and lovely views from the windows."

She said the hospital had contacted florists and flower delivery companies such as Interflora to inform them of the ban.

The new rule means that the hospital will have to dispose of its vases.

Ms Tong said: "We've got a huge number of vases and they will all have to go.

"We're not sure yet what to do with them but I think a lot will go to charity shops and places like residential homes. We'll find homes for them all."