Visiting restricted and wards closed at Raigmore
NHS HIGHLAND has ordered the closure of a number of its wards as Raigmore Hospital continues to be affected by norovirus.
Ward 5C has been closed to new admissions today as a precaution at the Inverness hospital with ward 7C remaining closed.
Ward 5C has three patients affected with symptoms. Wards 6C and 4C, which both had visiting suspended yesterday, are now open again for visitors – although a limit of two visitors per patient at one time is still in place across the whole hospital.
Dr Adam Brown, consultant microbiologist for NHS Highland, said: “We are being cautious by closing 5C but we know norovirus is in the community and would rather be over cautious while we assess the situation.
“By restricting visiting to the affected area it helps hospital staff protect the health, privacy and dignity of our patients. Please do not visit any of the affected wards unless by prior arrangement with the nurse in charge.
“Again we would stress that people do not come to the hospital to visit if they have, or live with someone who has, had any vomiting or diarrhoea within the previous 72 hours. By doing this we will be able to limit the spread as much as possible.
“We would also ask that visitors are limited to two per patient across the whole of the hospital. 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.”