Face masks must be worn on entry to Western Isles hospitals

Everyone entering a hospital must wear a face mask or face covering.

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 a 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 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.

NHS Western Isles has thanked all staff, patients and visitors for their ongoing cooperation.