Hospital visiting restricted

Visiting hours have been cut at Western Isles Hospital due to a surge in flu patients.

There is a high level of respiratory illness within the Stornoway hospital.

NHS Western Isles said it is temporarily restricting visiting times to protect patients, staff and visitors.

From now visiting is restricted to between 2pm - 3pm and 7pm - 8.30pm until further notice.

In extenuating circumstances, additional visiting arrangements can be discussed with the senior charge nurse of a ward.

People with flu or flu-like symptoms are requested not to visit patients in hospital.

Director of Public Health, Dr Maggie Watts, said the flu virus is putting extra pressure on the health service at what is already a very busy time of year.

She said: “In line with the rest of Scotland, we are seeing a higher than usual number of people within the community with flu-like illnesses, as well as an increasing number of patients admitted to hospital with flu symptoms.”

Dr Watts urged eligible people to get the flu jab.

The free flu vaccination is available for those in the ‘at-risk’ groups, as well as those over 65, pregnant women and all healthcare workers and carers.

Hospital visiting restricted after surge in flu cases

10 January 2018