Opening hours cut will continue at MIIU

Reduced opening hours at Pitlochry’s troubled Minor Injury and Illness Unit (MIIU) will continue for at least the next two months.

Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership advises that“due to ongoing recruitment challenges and unplanned staff absence within the GP unit”, Pitlochry MIIU will continue to have a temporary reduction in hours.

The opening hours at the Bobbin Mill Road facility are currently from 9am 4.30pm, Monday to Sunday. This will continue for the next eight weeks.

Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership chief officer Gordon Paterson said:“We would like to apologise for any disruption this may cause.

“It is essential that we provide safe staffing levels in order to maintain a quality inpatient service for patients who are clinically unwell.

“Due to staffing challenges within the GP unit, we have had to make the difficult decision to restrict the opening hours of the minor injury unit for a temporary period in order to safely staff the inpatient area.”

The partnership gave advice on accessing treatment:“You can contact your GP between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday. When your GP surgery is closed, and you’re too ill to wait until it re-opens, you can access appropriate out-of-hours services (including a nurse or GP) through NHS 24 by calling 111, which is a 24 hour service for healthcare provision and advice.

“In the event of a life threatening emergency contact 999.”