Assurances sought over sudden shutdown of hospital unit

Health chiefs have been urged to give assurances over the sudden temporary closure of a Perthshire hospital unit.

Services at Crieff’s Minor Injury and Illness Unit (MIIU) have been shut down for a week because of “unplanned staff absences”.

Hospital bosses said the lack of staff meant the unit could not be run safely. Patients are being redirected to Blairgowrie Community Hospital, 30 miles and 50 minutes away.

Now, local MSP Roseanna Cunningham has promised to ask health bosses what steps are being taken to avoid a repeat of the situation.

She said: “The decision to temporarily close the MIIU at Crieff Community Hospital for a week due to unanticipated staff shortages, though understandable in the circumstances, is very disappointing.

“There are questions to be addressed as to why patients are being directed to Blairgowrie rather than a closer facility and I am writing to the health board to express my concerns about the impact of this closure on the local community and the need to avoid this situation happening again.”

It is hoped the unit will be able to reopen by Monday.

Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership Chief Officer Robert Packham apologised for the disruption the latest closure will cause but said it was unavoidable. “It is essential that we provide an MIIU service with appropriately skilled staff which is safe for patients and staff,” he said.

“Due to staffing difficulties, we have had to make the decision to restrict the opening of the unit for a temporary period.”