Fears for future of Pitlochry hospital

Concern as health bosses unable to fill key nursing vacancy

The future of a Perthshire hospital remains in doubt after health bosses failed to fill a key vacancy.

The minor illness and injury unit (MIIU) in Pitlochry has been operating with reduced opening hours due to staff shortages.

Only one of the two senior nurse vacancies was filled after a recruitment process, meaning it has had to be readvertised.

The failure has led to fears the hospital may never fully operate again.

James Laurenson, chairman of Pitlochry and Moulin Community Council, said: “We are very worried about the future of the hospital. “It’s very important to Pitlochry...” Robert Packham, chief officer for Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Patients and their families should be assured that staffing for all of our services is in line with NHS Scotland’s nationally recommended workforce levels.”

A vacancy at the beleaguered Pitlochry Community Hospital has been filled – but another had to be advertised again due to a lack of suitable applicants

The minor illness and injury unit (MIIU) has been operating with reduced opening hours due to staff shortages, but one of the two senior nurse vacancies has now been filled.

A second vacancy for a primary care nurse has now been readvertised as none of the previous applicants met the specific criteria required for the role.

There is also an empty post for a nurse in the GP department of the hospital.

While filling one of the vacancies comes as a relief to residents of Pitlochry and the surrounding area, there are concerns the staffing crisis may never be resolved, despite the efforts of NHS Tayside.

James Laurenson, chairman of Pitlochry and Moulin Community Council, said: “We are very worried about the future of the hospital. It’s very important to Pitlochry, particularly in the tourist season when the population doubles, if not more.

“It’s a terrible situation to be in and I would be kicking up even more of a stink but I do think the NHS is trying to do something about it and at the end of the day, if there are no staff, there are no staff.

“I know everyone is trying to sort it, which in a way is more worrying because if they are trying and still can’t sort it, will there ever be a solution?”

The staffing crisis forced NHS Tayside to close the hospital for three days in September and it has been operating on reduced hours throughout October.

Robert Packham, chief officer for Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, insisted efforts are being made to make the position as attractive as possible.

“Following an initial round of recruitment, a decision was made to readvertise the post to ensure it is filled by an applicant with the required skills and level of expertise for this specialist service,” he said.

“We actively recruit to fill vacancies as they arise and we have also been working with our staff to develop innovative nursing posts to support active recruitment.

“Patients and their families should be assured that staffing for all of our services is in line with NHS Scotland’s nationally recommended workforce levels.”

Patients are asked to check the MIIU opening times before attending by phoning Pitlochry Community Hospital 01796 472052, Monday to Fridays, or NHS 24 on 111 at the weekends.

It’s a terrible situation to be in and I would be kicking up even more of a stink but I do think the NHS is trying to do something about it. JAMES LAURENSON, PITLOCHRY AND MOULIN COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Pitlcochry Community Hospital has been operating with reduced opening hours because of staff shortages, though one nurse has now been hired.