The Royal Cornwall Hospital tells agency staff they aren't needed because of a lack of patients

Agency nurses and healthcare staff at Cornwall's biggest hospital have been told there is no work for them as there aren't enough patients.

Staff were initially informed by text they weren't needed at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, although the chief executive later apologised for not thanking them properly.

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic only 50 per cent of the beds in the hospital trust are in use.

She reiterated that the trust was “very grateful for all the hard workand dedication of our bank and agency colleagues”.