The Highlands’ flagship hospital has reopened to visitors after it was shut by a norovirus outbreak which has affected 50 patients.
Visitors were asked to stay away from Raigmore Hospital in Inverness over the weekend after patients on three wards were hit with the winter sickness bug.
NHS Highland said people are still affected by the virus and that all three wards remain closed, but health chiefs reviewed the situation this afternoon and agreed to reopen the hospital to visitors.
Ward 2A followed wards 2C and 7C in closing, which prompted bosses on Friday to make the rare decision to shut down the hospital to visitors.
Dr Chin Lim, consultant microbiologist for NHS Highland, said: “I would like to thank everyone for their cooperation and understanding over the past few days when we restricted all visiting. This was to try, as much as we possibly could, to reduce any further outbreaks of norovirus in the hospital..
“While I am pleased that we have been able to reopen to visiting we know norovirus is still in the community so would ask that visitors are limited to two per patient and that if you, or anyone you live with, has had symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting you refrain from coming into the hospital until you are clear for 72 hours.”
There is no specific treatment for a norovirus infection and it is not usually necessary to visit a doctor. The best course of action is to stay at home and to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
Visitors are being asked to not visit these wards unless by prior arrangement with the nurse in charge.
Iona McGauran, lead nurse for Raigmore Hospital, said: “I would also like to thank the public for their support over the weekend when we suspended visiting. It was not a decision we took lightly and their understanding is appreciated.
“Visiting remains restricted to our affected wards which helps hospital staff protect the health, privacy and dignity of our patients.
“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.”