Raigmore Hospital Shut To Visitors Amid Norovirus Outbreak
3 wards are affected at the north's biggest hospital.
The north's biggest hospital is being closed to ALL visitors as staff deal with a Norovirus outbreak.
29 patients are affected across 3 wards at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
Wards 2C and 7C have been shut since last week, with 27 patients affected.
Ward 5C was closed earlier this week, reopened and shut again within a few hours.
Visits can be made through appointment only.
Dr Adam Brown, Consultant Microbiologist for NHS Highland, explained this decision has been taken to try and reduce the incidence of norovirus within the hospital.
He said: “We have taken the decision today to suspend all visiting at Raigmore Hospital on a temporary basis.
“We currently have a high number of patients in hospital with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting and we also know it is rife in the community.
"By reducing the amount of traffic coming in to the hospital we hope that will reduce the risk of any more outbreaks of Norovirus.
“We would ask members of the public not to come in to hospital to visit any ward unless by prior arrangement with the nurse in charge.
"Hospital staff will of course be very happy to talk to visitors on the phone so they can get updates on how their relatives are.
“We appreciate your understanding for why we have had to take this decision and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.”