News

Surgical Ward in Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway continues to be closed to new scheduled admissions as a result of a number of individuals linked to the ward testing positive for COVID-19.

All planned theatre and endoscopies (with the exception of urgent endoscopes) in Western Isles Hospital will continue to be temporarily postponed. This will be reassessed when the Surgical Ward reopens. This does not affect planned procedures in Ospadal Uibhist angus Bharraigh.

Visiting continues to be restricted to Essential Only in Surgical Ward until further notice.

Temporary Suspension of planned theatre and endoscopies
The temporary suspension of procedures continues to affect planned theatre and endoscopies in Western Isles Hospital. Emergency surgery and urgent endoscopies will continue.

The situation is being monitored on a daily basis, and any patients affected (whose care will be rescheduled as soon as possible) will be communicated with directly.

Temporary closure of the ward to non-emergency admissions
To help prevent further spread of COVID-19, the Surgical Ward will continue to be closed to admissions until further notice, with the exception of emergency admissions.

The ward will also be restricted to Essential Visiting only until further notice. All Essential Visitors must ensure that they book all visits in advance, and all visitors are reminded to please ensure that they take a Lateral Flow Device test before visiting hospital. Please do not visit under any circumstances if you develop symptoms.

Continued monitoring
An Incident Management Group has been meeting daily to ensure all necessary measures are in place to prevent further spread of the virus within the ward, and senior managers will monitor the suspension of planned theatre on a daily basis. Service will resume as soon as it is safe to do so.

NHS Western Isles Nurse and AHP Director/Chief Operating Officer, Fiona McKenzie, said: “The closure of the ward to non-emergency admissions was essential to help prevent further spread of COVID-19 within the ward and to protect our patients and staff.

“Regretfully we have had no other option in the circumstances than to take the decision to postpone planned theatre and endoscopy activity for a short period. We will resume these services as quickly as we can, and would like to apologise sincerely to any patients affected.”

NHS Western Isles would reiterate the plea to our communities to ensure that they are mindful of how they use NHS services, in particular using our Emergency Departments (ED) appropriately. Individuals should only attend the ED for conditions that are life threatening.

Unless your condition is critical, please do not attend an Emergency Department, as you will be directed to another service. If in doubt, please visit NHS Inform www.nhsinform.scot, contact your GP or NHS24 during the day, or call NHS24 on 111, out of hours.