Ward at Highland hospital reopens but one ward remains closed due to norovirus
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ANOTHER ward at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness has reopened to admissions and visitors following a deep clean.
Ward 7A was previously closed due to norovirus. It comes after Ward 6C reopened on Monday after it was closed for the same reason.
Ward 5C remains closed due to diarrhoea and vomiting.
NHS Highland’s head of acute services Katherine Sutton praised staff throughout the hospital for their hard work during the outbreak.
She said: “Our staff have worked incredibly hard during this time in not only looking after patients but also in getting the ward deep cleaned and ready for reopening.
“I’d also like to thank the public for their co-operation at this time. It’s never an easy decision to make when we ask visitors to stay away but doing this not only helped protect the privacy and dignity of our patients but also kept the virus as contained as possible.
“Although the restriction on visiting has been lifted we would continue to ask that visiting is kept to a minimum to help us prevent the spread of norovirus across the hospital.
“A suspension on visiting in Ward 5C remains in place, although exceptions will continue to be made for patients receiving end-of-life care or for those who are critically ill. If you feel that visiting is essential please contact the ward first by phone before coming to the hospital. Please do not visit the ward unless by prior arrangement with the nurse in charge.
“We know that norovirus is still active in the community and we would ask that if you, or someone you live with, has had symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting you refrain from coming to the hospital until clear for 72 hours.”
NHS Highland is also appealing to the community to help prevent the spread of flu by avoiding visiting any of our hospitals if they have any respiratory symptoms.
