Raigmore Hospital visits banned amid norovirus outbreak
Visiting hours have been suspended at a Highland hospital due to a norovirus outbreak.
Visiting hours have been suspended at a Highland hospital due to a norovirus outbreak.
A third ward at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness has now been closed to new admissions due to symptoms of the diarrhoea and vomiting bug.
Across the three affected wards, 47-patients are said to be affected by the outbreak and visiting has now been suspended to prevent further spread. Visits will be allowed in emergency cases, NHS Highland said.
Dr Chin Lim, consultant microbiologist for NHS Highland, 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 found in the community. By reducing the amount of traffic coming into the hospital we hope that will reduce the risk of any further outbreaks of norovirus."
The winter vomiting bug usually lasts for 72 hours and is easily spread among people who are already ill.
Iona McGauran, lead nurse for Raigmore Hospital, said: "We have a responsibility to make things safe and we know that norovirus is being brought into the hospital.
"We are asking members of the public not to come in to hospital to visit any ward, however there will be exceptions to that rule, such as an emergency situation, which can be arranged 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."