Visiting hours have been restricted at the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway to “protect patients, staff and visitors” from the flu virus.
The NHS Western Isles’ move was prompted in response to “increased cases of respiratory illnesses” such as confirmed cases of Influenza A.
The hospital will maintain visiting hours between 2pm – 3pm and 7pm – 8.30pm until further notice but advised people with flu symptoms to stay away.
A spokeswoman for NHS Western Isles said: “There are increased cases of respiratory illnesses, including flu, in hospital and in the community.”
“This has resulted in very high occupancy levels in hospital and the use of contingency beds.”
The spokeswoman added: “We are not experiencing an outbreak of flu, but we are experiencing a progressive increase in cases.”
Currently there are no plans to introduce any other measures and no other services have been affected.
That is in contrast to flu-hit Raigmore hospital in Inverness that has been forced to continue with its suspension of visiting times.
A spokeswoman for the hospital said: “Visiting restrictions remain in place unless under special circumstances and with the agreement of the nurse in charge.
“By minimising the footfall into the hospital we do believe that we have helped reduce the spread of flu.”
Raigmore is screening newly admitted patients for flu and is experiencing up to 30 at any one time suffering from flu-like symptoms.
She said: “We would also ask that children under the age of 16 should refrain from visiting anyone in hospital at this current time.”
Children are seen as more likely to be carriers of infections due to mixing at school and weaker cough, hand and toilet hygiene awareness.
Clinicians are advising against visiting anyone in hospital if you or they have a respiratory illness which could lead to the spread of infection.
The Raigmore spokeswoman added: “We are grateful for the support staff across all our hospitals in NHS Highland is receiving from the public at the moment.”