Operations ave been suspended at the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway after a rise in patients getting infections after surgery.
Elective procedures will not take place this week.
An investigation has been launched into the spike of infections.
The health board said there has been a higher than average number of non-covid-related surgical site infections in patients who had elective procedures at the hospital.
Some 34 procedures are being rescheduled as a precautionary measure until all checks are complete.
S spokesperson said: “A precautionary decision has been taken to reschedule all elective procedures that were due to be carried out for the coming week (until 20th September).
“This allows time for a range of infection prevention and control audits and an investigation to be carried out.
“We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologise to all patients affected.”
Procedures affected are general surgery, orthopaedics, gynaecology, and ophthalmology.
All patients affected have been contacted individually and will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
There will be no impact on emergency procedures, and minor surgery and scopes will also continue.
Operations suspended at Stornoway hospital
13 September 2021