Visiting restrictions implemented in Western Isles Hospital and Surgical Ward closed to admissions until further notice

Surgical Ward in Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway has been closed to new non-emergency admissions until further notice, as a number of positive cases of COVID-19 have been linked to the ward.  

Medical Ward 2 also remains closed to new admissions, following the identification of cases of COVID-19 linked to the ward last week.

As a result of now more than one outbreak of COVID-19 cases within the hospital, NHS Western Isles has taken the difficult decision to temporarily restrict visiting across the hospital to Essential Visiting only. This will be reviewed in 48 hours. We would like to apologise for the disappointment and inconvenience this may cause, however it is considered necessary in the circumstances to protect vulnerable patients in hospital and to protect the ongoing provision of services.

All Essential Visitors must ensure that they book all visits in advance and ensure that they take a Lateral Flow Device test before visiting hospital. Please do not visit under any circumstances if you develop COVID-19 symptoms.  You can order LFDs by calling 119 or visiting https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests 

An Incident Management Team has been established to ensure all necessary measures are in place to prevent further spread of the virus within the hospital.

Notes for Editors:

What is an Essential Visitor?

Essential Visiting describes situations when it is very important for a relative/friend to be allowed to see a patient.

Examples of this include:

• a parent accompanying a child;

• in maternity settings, partners or birth partners being able to attend ante-natal, clinic or scan appointments with their partner;

• when someone has reached the end of their life, has an immediately life-threatening illness, when someone is receiving difficult news, or similar situations;

• when people have an acute mental health issue; or

• anyone with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.