Staff shortages force Consett medical clinic to cut hours
UTCs provide urgent medical help for non-life-threatening emergencies, such as cuts and burns.The trust said between January and June this year it had been forced to shut the UTC overnight 65 times due to staffing shortages.It also said on average just five people attended the site each night.A spokesperson said staff shortages had risen this year due to a combination of vacancies, sickness and maternity leave.They said the decision to temporarily shut the site overnight was so "daytime care could be protected"."We'll be reviewing the impact of this change closely and listening to feedback from local people and partners throughout the closure period," they added.
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The Sun
an hour ago
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