Flu forces Raigmore Hospital patients to move to Dingwall
Ross Memorial to shut minor injuries unit to free up beds in Inverness.
Last updated 7th Jan 2018
"Given the high risk of flu...pregnant women should avoid visiting..." - RAIGMORE HOSPITAL
Dingwall's hospital is shutting its minor injuries unit from Monday to make space for patients being moved there from Raigmore in Inverness.
The temporary measure at Ross Memorial is to free up beds in the Highland capital where health board bosses claim cases of flu are causing 'significant pressure' on admissions.
NHS Highland's Easter Ross district manager Chris Arnold told MFR News: "The decision to temporarily close the unit has been taken as part of a contingency plan to help the health board cope with the mounting pressures of seasonal illness, including flu.
"The more care we can provide for patients in the community, the less elective procedures will have to be cancelled in Raigmore."
Restrictions have now been put in place across all wards in the Inverness hospital.
Consultant microbiologist Dr Adam Brown explained: "Visiting within Raigmore Hospital is strictly limited to two-people per patient at any one time, and we are advising that children under the age of 16 are not brought in to visit patients in hospital.
"We would also advise that, given the high risk of flu, that pregnant women should avoid visiting as well.
"If you have any respiratory symptoms we would ask that you do not visit any of our hospitals."