Scheduled operations at Raigmore Hospital have been cancelled due to overwhelming demand for hospital beds.
An NHS Highland spokeswoman said: “Like other health boards across Scotland, we have seen a significant increase in the number of unwell patients having to be admitted to our hospitals in recent weeks.
“To ensure we can meet the demand for our emergency admissions, some elective operations have had to be cancelled.
“This is not a decision that is taken lightly and every effort will be made to reschedule these as soon as possible.”
Highland and Islands MSP Edward Mountain commented: “While I understand the reasons, it is extremely disappointing that elective operations are being cancelled – especially when NHS Highland are not meeting many of the Government’s treatment guarantee times.”
"With the increase in admissions at Raigmore it is important to follow the advice of NHS Highland to relieve pressure on our hard-working medical staff.”
“This winter surge in admission is an annual event. I hope the hospital management have planned for it, ensuring all bed spaces in wards have beds and that any wards that are not being used at Raigmore and other Highland hospitals are opened.”