Bosses at the north’s biggest hospital have taken the unprecedented step of banning all visitors to try to halt the spread of a highly contagious sickness bug.
Four wards at Raigmore in Inverness were closed last night and more than 30 patients had symptoms of the winter vomiting virus.
The situation is being reviewed on a daily basis but the hospital could stay closed throughout the weekend as wards need to be symptom-free for 48 hours before they can be opened.
NHS Highland said norovirus was “rife in the community” and that it had been spread throughout the hospital by visitors.
People concerned about loved ones can contact the wards by phone, but a health board spokeswoman said visitors would only be allowed into the hospital in “exceptional circumstances such as clinical urgency”.
Yesterday, people attending outpatient clinics were being allowed in and out of the building.
However, a large sign at the hospital’s main entrance warned ward visitors that they would not be allowed to enter.
The entire hospital is currently subject to an enhanced deep cleaning programme – and the coffee shop near the main entrance was closed yesterday after somebody was sick in the premises.
Some people unaware of the situation were turned away at the main door as they arrived planning to visit relatives and friends.
Among them was Charles Gallacher, who had planned to visit his wife Jeanie, 79, who has been in hospital for the past two weeks after suffering a stroke.
Mr Gallacher, from Inverness, said: “I was just going to visit my wife, she’s expecting me.
“She’s had a stroke and she’s not well at all.
“I knew that some of the wards were closed because of the sickness but I had no idea that they would stop everybody from entering.”
The 79-year-old added: “I suppose they are doing the right thing to try and stop this spreading but it’s still very worrying.
“I’ve been given a direct line for the ward so I’m just going to try and stay in touch that way.”
Also turned away from the front door was the Rev David Scott, of nearby Inshes Church.
He said: “I was going to visit a member of our congregation who has a broken ankle. I didn’t know this had happened.
“It must be worrying for everyone involved so my thoughts are with them.”
Last night, NHS Highland confirmed that wards 7C, 5C, 3A and 2C all remain closed to new admissions as norovirus symptoms had been recorded.
Four patients on 5C, 11 on 7C, five on 3A and 17 on 2C have all shown signs of the virus, which causes diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, spreads in the air.
Dr Adam Brown, consultant microbiologist for NHS Highland, explained the decision had been taken to try to reduce the incidence of norovirus within the hospital.
He 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 rife in the community.
“By reducing the amount of traffic coming into the hospital we hope that will reduce the risk of any more outbreaks of norovirus.
“We would ask members of the public not to come into hospital to visit any ward unless 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.”