Beds to be temporarily closed at Alston hospital

From the 17 April, inpatient beds at Alston's community hospital will be temporarily closed, because of staffing problems.

Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, says that despite national and local recruitment campaigns, there continues to be a number of vacancies at the hospital.

It says current staff have cancelled their planned holidays, are coming in to work on their days off, and are frequently working additional hours.

To minimise the impact of closing the six beds, staff will focus on providing a community-based service, caring for people at home.

The nurse-led treatment centre opening times will also change from 24/7 to being open 8am to 11pm.

The day hospital, GP surgery and outpatient department will all continue to run as normal.

It is unclear when the temporary bed closure will end.

Councillors on Cumbria's Health Scrutiny Committee have already voted through proposals to permanently close inpatient beds at Alston, Wigton and Maryport community hospitals, however the Trust says this permanent closure will not happen until "robust alternatives" are in place.