NHS Highland has shut the minor injuries unit at its Dingwall hospital to help deal with an influx of flu patients in Inverness.
Raigmore Hospital has been inundated with flu patients, putting staff – and beds – under increasing pressure.
Now the health board has decided to temporarily close the unit at Ross Memorial Hospital in Dingwall so patients from Inverness can be transferred there.
The move is part of NHS Highland’s contingency plan to free up bed-capacity at Raigmore.
It is hoped by freeing up space at Raigmore, fewer surgical appointments will have to be cancelled.
Chris Arnold, district manager for Easter Ross, said: “The decision to temporarily close the unit has been taken as part of a contingency plan to help the health board cope with the mounting pressures of seasonal illness, including flu.
“The more care we can provide for patients in the community, the less elective procedures will have to be cancelled in Raigmore.”
Members of the public are being advised that, from today, in the case of minor injuries, they should contact their local GP or attend the MIU at the County Community Hospital at Invergordon, which is open 8am to 6pm.
NHS Highland added that, as is always the case, the Out of Hours service can be contacted via NHS 24 on 111 and, in the event of an emergency, people should dial 999.
Meanwhile, the health board said staff across the region was working hard to reduce the risk of viruses spreading within the community.
NHS Highland has made a fresh appeal for support from the public to help with this.
Dr Adam Brown, consultant microbiologist for NHS Highland, explained that restrictions have now been put in place across all wards in Raigmore Hospital.
He said: “Visiting within Raigmore Hospital is strictly limited to two people per patient at any one time and we are advising that children under the age of 16 are not brought in to visit patients in hospital.
“We would also advise that, given the high risk of flu, that pregnant women should avoid visiting as well. If you have any respiratory symptoms we would ask that you do not visit any of our hospitals.”
