Face masks/coverings to be worn on entry to hospitals in the Western Isles

NHS Western Isles is tomorrow (Wednesday) introducing new arrangements in terms of the use of face masks/coverings in hospitals.

From tomorrow, in line with government guidance, face masks/coverings must be worn on entry to all three hospitals: Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway, Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh in Benbecula and St Brendan’s Hospital in Barra.

All NHS staff, visitors and anyone attending for an outpatient appointment must wear their own face covering, or face mask provided by NHS Western Isles, on entry to hospital. Clinical face masks provided by NHS Western Isles must continue to be worn by everyone in clinical areas, with the exception of inpatients.

The new measure is a preventative step to help protect our staff, patients and visitors, due to the increased opportunity for the transmission of COVID-19 since lockdown has eased.

The Western Isles have been very fortunate in having less recorded infection than most other areas, and this makes it especially important to break any possible chain of infection.

We would like to thank all staff, patients and visitors for their ongoing cooperation.

Please see the following Q&A for further information.