The temporary closure of a minor injuries unit has been extended because of a shortage of specialist clinicians.
The unit at Newquay Hospital was initially closed on 21 August and had been due to reopen on 27 August. It did reopen for the bank holiday weekend, but Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said it had "taken the difficult decision to extend the temporary closure" throughout September.
A trust spokesperson said it did not currently have enough specialist clinicians to provide "a safe, reliable service". The trust said that in recent months vacancies and sickness had led to changes in opening hours at short notice.
The spokesperson said the trust was actively recruiting specialist staff and a new clinical lead was due to join the team. "These are important steps in strengthening the service and supporting a phased reopening as soon as it is safe to do so," they said.
They apologised for the extended closure and said the trust remained committed to reopening the service as soon as it was "safe and sustainable to do so". The unit would reopen on 5 October on reduced days, and at times when the unit was busiest to induct new staff and conduct further recruitment, they added.
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Staffing Shortage Extends Newquay Minor Injuries Unit Closure