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Chat concerned about cut in opening hours at Thurso minor injuries unit


By Gordon Calder

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A CUT in the opening hours at the minor injuries unit at Thurso's Dunbar Hospital due to staffing difficulties is "quite concerning", according to a local campaign group.

Bill Fernie, chairman of the Caithness Health Action Team (Chat), says the move will result in more people having to travel to the accident and emergency department in Wick which will put added pressure on staff there.

He also pointed out the unit has closed temporarily or operated on restricted hours on a number of occasions over the past two to three years and thinks that is set to continue.

Bill Fernie is concerned about the reduced opening hours.
Bill Fernie is concerned about the reduced opening hours.

Mr Fernie spoke out after NHS Highland confirmed the facility will not be open as normal this week but will work on a restricted timetable.

The changes came into place on Monday and will last until Sunday. It mean patients requiring medical attention while the Dunbar unit is closed will have to go to the accident and emergency department at Caithness General Hospital in Wick.

The Thurso minor injuries facility was not open overnight on Monday and Tuesday, and will be open from 7am to midnight today. It will be closed from 7pm to 9.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday but will be shut overnight again on Sunday.

NHS Highland stresses there is no change to accessing emergency services. People should dial 999 if they experience a medical emergency and the Scottish Ambulance Service will respond as appropriate.

Lesley Kinloch, NHS Highland’s Caithness district manager, said: "The opening hours have been changed this week due to staffing shortages. This decision has not been taken lightly and we are working hard to minimise any inconvenience and to increase staffing capacity over the next four to eight weeks. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

However, Mr Fernie is unhappy with the recurring situation. "I don't understand why so many short-term contracts are being offered to staff," he said. "It may be a budget issue, and I do have some sympathy for the very difficult situation the health authority is in. They can't do much about it as that is an issue which has to be solved by the Scottish Government."

But Mr Fernie added: "We have been in this position for the last two to three years where the minor injuries unit at the Dunbar has been closed or operated on short-term hours. It is quite concerning as you can't guarantee when it will be open."

Asked if the situation may change with the creation of the planned medical hubs in Wick and Thurso, he replied: "If you do not have enough staff a hub is not going to change that. The NHS finds it difficult to recruit staff on a range of levels and that is a failure of the government to ensure enough people are being trained. These chickens are coming home to roost now."


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