Raigmore's Ward 7C closed again
A medical ward at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, has been closed to new admissions and visitors are being asked to stay away - just days after it had re-opened.
Ward 7C was closed today while staff deal with several cases of diarrhoea and vomiting. It has four patients currently affected with symptoms.
The Infection Prevention and Control Team are monitoring the situation but testing has shown that norovirus is present on the ward.
The virus, which causes diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, spreads in the air where someone has had diarrhoea or vomited and is extremely infectious. It is important that everyone plays their part in reducing outbreak risks.
Dr Emma Watson, Consultant Microbiologist for NHS Highland, said: “It is disappointing that we have had to close the ward so soon after it was reopened but we know there is significant norovirus in the community and we do believe that this is an infection that has been brought into the ward and has affected new patients.”
Dr Watson explained that this strain of Norovirus seems to have a long incubation period so have extended the period of clearance required from 48 hours to 72 hours.
She said: “Again we would stress that people do not come to the hospital/s to visit if they have, or live with someone who has, had any vomiting or diarrhoea.
“By restricting visiting to the affected area it 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.”
If you feel that visiting is essential please contact the ward first by phone before coming to the hospital. Please do not visit the ward unless by prior arrangement with the nurse in charge.
