Staffing crisis forces hospital unit to shut
Pitlochry MIIU will close its doors for three days
The band paraded through Perth at the weekend A staffing crisis means a Perthshire minor injuries and illness unit will be closed for three days, seemingly for the second time this month.
Perth and Kinross health and social care partnership announced earlier this week that Pitlochry MIIU will be closed on Monday, September 24, Tuesday, September 25 and Friday, September 28.
The MIIU will only be open from 9am until 5pm on Wednesday and Thursday next week.
The health and social care partnership said the MIIU’s normal hours, which is 9am until 5pm on weekdays and 9am until 9pm at the weekends, will resume on Saturday, September 29.
Robert Packham, chief officer at Perth and Kinross health and social care partnership, said: “We would like to apologise for any disruption this temporary closure may cause.
“It is essential that we provide an MIIU service with appropriately skilled staff which is safe for patients and staff.
“Due to staffing difficulties, we have had to make the decision to restrict the opening of the unit for a temporary period.”
NHS Tayside has said those who need to access care for a minor illness or injury should call NHS 24 on 111.
It also advises contacting a GP during working hours, or visiting a pharmacist for free advice, support and guidance on a number of health problems.
Independent Highland ward councillor Xander McDade said it was the second time this month the facility has been closed due to staffing problems.
He added: “I understand that the recruitment process for new MIIU nurses is underway with the deadline for applications closing this week and again I’d encourage anyone who knows of nurses who might want to live and work in the Pitlochry area to apply. “The local doctors’ surgery has agreed to support these temporary closures, but that is not sustainable in the long term and we need to look at how we can better attract key workers to live and work in Perthshire.” Conservative councillor for the area, John Duff (below), laid the blame at the door of the Scottish Government. He said: “These continuing temporary closures of the MIIU at Pitlochry are symptomatic of a further deterioration of health provision in this area. “Over the years, we have seen our hospital, GP, nursing and ambulance cover reduced in Highland Perthshire and beyond, such as the recent downgrading of A&E facilities at PRI, placing a major strain on the remaining services.
“The Scottish Government and NHS Tayside must take action to address this recruitment situation as soon as possible and deliver a better health service in this area for residents and visitors alike.”
But SNP ward councillor Mike Williamson said Brexit and a lack of affordable housing was to blame.
He said: “The NHS has got problems recruiting staff across the board.
“There is a 20 per cent reduction in the amount of Europeans working in Perth and Kinross, and some of them would have been working in the NHS, so Brexit is not helping our problems up here at the moment.
“It is easy to point the finger at the NHS but all the major employers here are struggling and Brexit has a huge part to play in that.”
He added: “A number of parents have also expressed concerns about childcare and affordable housing, as well as the potential closure of Grandtully, Logierait and Pitlochry