‘Staff shortages’ are being blamed for further unplanned closures of Burnham-On-Sea’s Minor Injuries Unit this weekend.
The unit at Burnham War Memorial Hospital in Love lane is usually open from 10am until 6pm with the last patient admitted at 5.30pm.
However, Somerset’s NHS Foundation Trust says that due to staff shortages, there will be closures at the unit this weekend in Burnham-On-Sea as follows:
- Closed on Saturday 27th July
- Open on Sunday 28th July as usual (10am – 6pm)
- Closed on Monday 29th July
- Open on Tuesday 30th July as usual (10am – 6pm)
Tracy Evans, Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s service director for community services, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Due to staffing shortages over the next few days we have temporarily changed the opening times at the minor injuries unit at Burnham-On-Sea Hospital.”
“We advise people to contact NHS 111 for the latest information about advice available services. Somerset MIU opening hours are also available on our website: www.sompar.nhs.uk. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Lucy Nicholls, Patient and Public Involvement Manager at Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, added: “Due to ongoing challenges with staffing of Somerset’s Minor Injuries Units (MIUs) in recent weeks, there has been a number of unplanned closures of some MIUs.”
“The position is again very difficult this weekend and there are not enough qualified staff to provide services across all of Somerset’s Minor Injuries Units.”
“NHS111 remains the consistent and always accessible specialist advice line all non-emergency health care and should be the first point of contact for any patients who need advice. The NHS111 advice line, ambulance services and other partners have been informed so that patients can be directed to the relevant fully operational clinical services.”
